Finalists announced in UBC’s Okanagan short story contest

Esteemed Canadian writer Renée Saklikar is doing some high-pressured page turning, as it’s down to the wire for the finalists in the 2017 Okanagan Short Story Contest.

Saklikar is the final judge in the annual fiction contest, which attracted 89 submissions this year. The annual event gives area adult writers an opportunity to hone their skills, get published, and win a one-week writing residency.

“Every year it amazes me when we come up with our list of finalists,” said author and associate professor Michael V. Smith, who teaches creative writing in UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.

“We have so many great storytellers up and down the valley. It’s a thrill to see these stories, and the writers, gathered here in this place.”

Winners will be announced April 18 at the Kelowna branch of the Okanagan Regional Library. There will also be an announcement about a new category and prizes in the 2018 Okanagan Short Story Contest.

Along with the $500 prize money and bragging rights, this year’s winner will have his or her story published in Vancouver-based subTerrain magazine and win a oneweek residency at the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre. Second and third-place winners receive $200 and $100, respectively.

More information on the contest can be found a fccs.ok.ubc.ca/ short-story.

This year’s shortlisted stories (in no particular order) are:

• The Elm Tree by Dick Bird of Princeton.

• The Island by Karen Hofmann of Kamloops.

• Poppy and Boo by Michael Griffin of Kelowna.

• Getting Straight by Carol Zuckerman of Kelowna.

• A Certain Way With Furniture by Cliff Hatcher of Kamloops.

• Rose by Monique Thériault of Kelowna.

• Blood June by Summer Kenney of Kelowna.