2024
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Joshua Boers, Grand Rapids
Gambler’s Rest
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Kelly Selby, Mason
The Hemlock House
Readers’ Choice Winner
Samantha Engel, Freeland
Home
Published Finalists
Nathan Grajek, Battle Creek
11:27pm
Margaret VanHaften, Frankfort
Gristle, Witch Hazel, and the Kickball
Heather Picardat, Grand Rapids
My Sister’s Promise
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Sonja de Wilde, Grand Rapids
A House with a Garden
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Finn Rice, Milford
Mist Men
Readers’ Choice Winner
Eli Ferguson, Grand Rapids
Omaha and Fire
Published Finalists
Lucy Yoder, Grand Rapids
I Will Always Eat Burnt Biscuits
Katelyn Messina, Sterling Heights
High School House-Hunters
Jordan Fletcher, Ada
The People Beside You
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Leyla Koroglu, Ann Arbor
A Long-Forgotten Memory
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Nora Sportel, Grand Rapids
Halloween House
Readers’ Choice Winner
Elena Hood, Ada
To You, From Every Ending Cosmos
Published Finalists
Emma Krueger, Ann Arbor
The Boy and the Dove: A Short Story
Rylan Day, Brighton
Talons and Thrones
Hunter Miller, Jackson
The Seven Principles
2023
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Megan Stevens, Remus
Carrion Crow
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Chris Cochran, Stevensville
I Won’t Let This Build Up Inside of Me
Readers’ Choice Winner
Marcie Woods, Grand Rapids
The Walk of Honor
Spanish Language Winner
Sara Proaño, Zeeland
Tres Mujeres
Published Finalists
Emilee Ceuninck, Canton
Glint
Malachi King, Eaton Rapids
The Waters of Michigan
Avery Saylor, St. Joseph
The Leader of the Pack
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Cassie Peckens, Lake Orion
A Paradise Past
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Katherine Blackwell, Shelby Twp.
Snow & Silence
Readers’ Choice Winner
Anjali Sardar, Okemos
The World Moves on Around Us
Spanish Language Winner
Yolihuani Dietachmayr, Berkley
El Sacrificio de los Zodiacos
Published Finalists
Molly Bilbey, Grand Ledge
Painted Feathers
Erin Burchill, South Lyon
“G”
Faith Grimmet, Eaton Rapids
Theories on Shakespeare
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Sevie Roddy, Ann Arbor
Unending Love
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Karis Rietema, Hamilton
Home
Readers’ Choice Winner
Riley Carey, Lowell
Elemental Cats
Spanish Language Winner
Aubrey Borr, Zeeland
La búsqueda de Amelia
Published Finalists
Ensley DeYonker, Lapeer
The Winter War
Emma Katke, Birmingham
I Am Spring
Miriam Wieringa, Kentwood
Found in the Forest
2022
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Brenna LaForge, Battle Creek
Serendipitous
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Loretta Jahncke, Wyoming
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Robots
Readers’ Choice Winner
Will Miedema, Rockford
The Crossing
Published Finalists
Julie Foust, Barryton
Prismatic Sun
Chris Sorenson, Ann Arbor
Show Me How to Feel the Stars
KS Walker, Grand Rapids
Riparian Zones
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Kevina Clear, Niles
Chasing Rainbows
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Meghan Hemmer, Houghton
Help is on the way
Readers’ Choice Winner
Meredith Mead, Traverse City
This Chapter of Our Lives
Published Finalists
Dev Buysse, Caledonia
ˈ ˈdrau̇-niŋ (v.)
Paige Harry, Midland
Fate of the Fallen
Payton Kalsbeek, Jenison
October 8, 1983
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Amelia Veltman, Caledonia
The Adventures Behind the Canvas
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Ellie Einfeld, Grand Rapids
The Unexpected Catastrophe
Readers’ Choice Winner
Adi Jain, Grand Rapids
Running From The Future
Published Finalists
Sevie Roddy, Ann Arbor
Ciara and the Ring of Fires
Colette Horvath, Byron Center
Journey to the Elder Cat
Amelia Bogertman, Ada
Where I Belong
Spanish
Judges’ Choice Winner
Elijah Kuiper, Grand Rapids
Carrera de bicicleta
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Sofia Armas, Grand Rapids
El Corazón
Readers’ Choice Winner
Miguel Reagan, Grand Rapids
El Indiano
Published Finalists
Sofia Toboy, Grand Rapids
¿Dónde está mi casa?
Lily Orange, Grandville
Por el amor de la música
Sylvia Fisher, Grand Rapids
El poder de la amistad
2021
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Karen McPhee, Lowell
Forever Things
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Liene Strautnieks, Grand Rapids
Dahlia
Readers’ Choice Winner
Benson Brazier, Grand Rapids
Dark Lord Sounds A Bit Harsh, Don’t You Think
Published Finalists
Bailey Burke, Grand Rapids
Tree Rings
EF Coigne, Belmont
Dance With Me
Ariella Hillary, Negaunee
Strawberry Jam
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Lani Khuu, Byron Center
Multitudes of Blue
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Abigail Kloha, St. Johns
Edwin_Memory_Drive:loaded
Readers’ Choice Winner
Hannah Haines, Grand Rapids
Remember?
Published Finalists
Kate Zalapi-Bull, Farmington Hills
The Body in the Creek
Grace Jacobson, Tustin
The Littlest Chickadee
Kevina Clear, Niles
Glass Slippers
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Emerson Gerard, Rockford
Adventures in Fairy Land
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Lillian Stielstra, Holland
Star’s Journey
Readers’ Choice Winner
Zack Zupin, Kentwood
Who Knows Where the Railroad Goes
Published Finalists
Shelley Ouyang, Ann Arbor
All for a Placement
Andrew Wright, Sheridan
The Stones
Ellie Hardy, Rockford
Space Cat
Spanish
Judges’ Choice Winner
Xavier Irizarry, Zeeland
La Posición
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Lucio Gunckel, Ann Arbor
Toby y Stanley unos perros extraordinarios
Readers’ Choice Winner
Cailynn Hamilton, Grand Rapids
Espia Catalina
Published Finalists
Anja Phillips, Holland
La Princesa del Mar
Alivia Schnakenberg, Zeeland
Historia Contra Historia
Harper Davis, Grand Rapids
El Sr. José
2020
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Debbie TenBrink
“First, Do No Harm”
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Daniel Johnson
“Odyssey”
Readers’ Choice Winner
Michelle Kastanek
“Return to Aberlorne”
Published Finalists
Susan Lovell
“The Summer of Andrea”
Lauren Miramonti
“For the Stars”
Robert Papp
“The Devil in Niyah’s Eyes”
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Anja Van Drunen
“A Chance Encounter”
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Samantha Kroll
“She Forgot Herself”
Readers’ Choice Winner
Taylor Johnson
“Daisy’s Angel”
Published Finalists
Emily Curtis
“Shine”
Meredith Mead
“Outcry”
Sophie Sales
“The Meadow”
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Ashley Cole
“Finding Hope”
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Ramona Wilke
“Urban Virus”
Readers’ Choice Winner
Gabriella Murphy
“Diary of a Galaxy Princess: The Forbidden Planet”
Published Finalists
Allison Malone
“Birds of Flight”
Amelia Schmidt
“A Brush with Fame”
Cecilia Woodring
“The Moon Queen”
Spanish
Judges’ Choice Winner
Tricia Zelaya
“Maria”
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Nina Baldwin
“Diosa de su gente, extraña para los demás”
Readers’ Choice Winner
Alain Saralegui
“Los novios transoceánicos”
Published Finalists
Chandler Brown
“Una vida escondida”
Pablo Castro
“Como en las películas”
Anna VanDyken
“Mi peor pesadilla”
2019
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Jessine Van Lopik
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Julie Mitchell
Readers’ Choice Winner
Chad Broughman
Published Finalists
Rebekah Glupker
Lisa McAllister
Garrett Stack
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Justin Wolters
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Evelyn Wolf
Readers’ Choice Winner
Colin Pearson
Published Finalists
Eleanor Barrett
Riley Finn
Rebecca Yeomans-Stephenson
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Janae Brugel
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Henry Minks
Readers’ Choice Winner
Olivia Simon
Published Finalists
Anneke Anglin
Hope Patterson
Celia Stark
Spanish
Judges’ Choice Winner
Shelby Johnson
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Daniel Tighe
Readers’ Choice Winner
Ana Maria Groenenboom
Published Finalists
Lauren Jousma
Sheridan Llewellyn
Sofia VandenHoek
2018
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Randall Andrews
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Nancy Barr
Readers’ Choice Winner
Debbie TenBrink
Published Finalists
Robert Hudson
Carol Sánchez
Roy York
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Vanessa Olson
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Marie Zelaya
Readers’ Choice Winner
Selah Preston
Published Finalists
Breanna Harris
Josephine Koch
Ryan Park
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Kaylee Hellman
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Ellie Kladder
Readers’ Choice Winner
Nora Winter
Published Finalists
Arya Karki
Tanner Soelberg
Lauren Thompson
Spanish
Judges’ Choice Winner
Sabrina Salazar
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Selene Lacayo
Readers’ Choice Winner
Jenny Jaramillo
Published Finalists
Samantha Huffstetler
Tahvanh Lucero
Adam Newby
2017
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Kenton Smalley
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Jan Ackerson
Readers’ Choice Winner
Andrew Hughes
Published Finalists
Carla Hansen
Jeff Maehre
Christopher Siciliano
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Emma Fenwick
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Sydney Wilson
Readers’ Choice Winner
Lucas Sherman
Published Finalists
Breanna Harris
Josephine Koch
Evelyn Pae
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Remi Kinkema
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Jon Wever
Readers’ Choice Winner
Haylie Kudlack
Published Finalists
Lily Dietz
Olivia Farr
Morgan VanDorp
Spanish
Judges’ Choice Winner
Jorge Pereira
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Johanna Van Dyke
Readers’ Choice Winner
Raleigh Kuipers
Published Finalists
Jovie Cochran
Luis Deya Parreno
Jacob Tillman
2016
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Patricia Clark
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Danielle Adams
Readers’ Choice Winner
Colleen Alles
Published Finalists
Ellen Cassidy
Emily Haines Lloyd
R. Thomas Sheardy
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Chloe Stegman
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Lauren Wilkinson
Readers’ Choice Winner
Katie Winkle
Published Finalists
Audrey Clayton
Rachel Corley
Sammy D’Alexander
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Mae Rintala
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Natalie Smith
Readers’ Choice Winner
Rachel Williamson
Published Finalists
Gabby DesJardins
Parker Hammond
Madeline Oostema
2015
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Fred Thornburg
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Kellie VanHorn
Readers’ Choice Winner
Ed McKenna
Published Finalists
Kenton Smalley
Troy VanKoevering
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Katrina Haaksma
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Elle Waldron
Readers’ Choice Winner
Mia Parks
Published Finalists
Shelby Herschleb
Catherine Jordan
Ashley Nelson
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Ayesha Jeddy
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Beckett Butler
Readers’ Choice Winner
Rachel Lee
Published Finalists
Anika Deshpande
Graham Ezinga
Ana Wittung
2014
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Oscar Bee
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Connor Newton
Readers’ Choice Winner
Eric Dobson
Published Finalists
Anne Brandt
Robert Vander Lugt
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Chloe Lewis
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Natalie Bradshaw
Readers’ Choice Winner
Jackie Guzman
Published Finalists
Emma Fox
Owen Purdue
Youth
Judges’ Choice Winner
Sarah Hoogstraten
Mary Bonnell
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Lilliana Appie
Readers’ Choice Winner
Tyler Barnes
Published Finalists
Suchir Gupta
Holly Holland
Andrew Travis
2013
Adults
Judges’ Choice Winner
Rhonda Wilson
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Matthew Rohr
Readers’ Choice Winner
Andrew Rogers
Published Finalists
Daniel Schoonmaker
Phillip Sterling
Katherine VanZwoll
Teens
Judges’ Choice Winner
Emma Seif
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up
Ashley Cabala
Readers’ Choice Winner
Sarah McLellan
Published Finalists
Daniel Alexander
Madeline MacLean
Leah Viotti-Ziegler