
Finalists and Honorable Mentions
The Mike Resnick Memorial Award 2022
Little Ghosts by Esos Ridley
"This email is to let you know that your submission, "Little Ghosts by Esos Ridley" was actually on the shortlist for the award (one of the ten stories given to judges). Usually those who are on the shortlist, but don't make the finalist list are not told how close they came, but when Lois McMaster Bujold found out your submission didn't make the top five finalists, she wanted me to send you a personal message with a note from her:
"Hi there --
I just wanted you to know how much I particularly enjoyed your story "Little Ghosts". I found it slyly humorous, deeply thoughtful, and well constructed, with something worth saying and said well.
Please keep writing and submitting!
best regards, Lois McMaster Bujold"
2022 National Fantasy Fan Federation Short Story Contest
Letters from the Singularity
" This is a “Greek Tragedy” of a story, graphically depicting the downfall of a man -- a hero! -- into nemesis and ruin. Definitely a sad story, but, like the Greek Tragedies, inescapable. The epistolary format works well for this, as we clearly perceive the “voice” of the man as he slides horribly into his destruction. Your narrative is clear and crisp, very well-written, and certainly emotionally evocative.
Your story did not win a prize in the 2022 National Fantasy Fan Federation Short Story Contest, but it was a finalist in the judging. It was an honor and a joy for me to read it; thank you for participating in the contest."