When the clock tolled twelve midnight last night, our Summer Short Fiction Contest (presented with our friends Cult of Weird) came to a conclusion. And what good timing– we’re just starting to feel a hint of Fall in the air.

We received 40 entrants to our contest (more than our expectation!) and we got quite a mix of creative ideas for paranormal stories set here in our home state of Wisconsin. The stories offered us a ghoulish parade of haunted houses, eerie cornfields, and things that go splash in the night in Lake Michigan, among other frights. These stories our now in the hands of our judges, who we’re sure will read them with all the lights on!

Our judges include representatives from Furrow, a literary organization and magazine for undergraduates at UW-Milwaukee, UW-Washington County’s creative writing department, and Cult of Weird. We are shooting for a Sept. 15 announcement, but bear with us as judging might take longer with such a great turn out.

1st place winner gets a conference VIP pass, their story printed in our conference program, and a prize pack. 2nd and 3rd place will have their stories posted on our website and will receive a 2-day Super Pass and prize packs. Prize packs include candles from Grave Digger Candles, signed books from conference speakers, Milwaukee Paranormal Conference merch, and more. The top 3 will also be invited to read their stories at the conference in a session hosted by author Kat de Falla in Room 191.

Most importantly, we’d like to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone who took time to submit their stories. We are thrilled with the interest in this contest and can’t wait to share the results. Good luck to all!
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