Even in the midst of a pandemic, literature and the arts can challenge us to act out of our better selves. At Solstice, we are taking a stand for social justice and against disinformation. In that mode, I am honored to announce our annual Summer Contest Issue with pieces that speak truth. This year, we received more submissions than before and send our gratitude to all the fine writers who submitted.
Many thanks also to our distinguished judges: In fiction, A.J. Verdelle selected Aimee LaBrie as the recipient of the $1,000 Fiction Prize for her story “Rage.” Aisha Hassan is the Runner-up for “Brothers in Arms.”
In poetry, Adrian Matejka selected Tina Zafreem Alam’s poem “& it’s hiding in plain sight” as the winner of the $500 Stephen Dunn Poetry Prize.
In Nonfiction, Megan Marshall chose Anne-Marie Ooman as the winner of the $500 Michael Steinberg Prize for her essay “Four Winds.” The Runner-up is Herb Harris for “To Belong in a Garden.”
Click on the TOC and go to the individual EDITOR’S NOTES to learn more about these fine authors and the fabulous FINALISTS, EDITORS’ PICKS, as well as SELECTED WORKS.
Also, many thanks to LOU JONES, for the cover image, “Dance Recital 4,” from his new series pandemicboston.
Lee Hope, Editor-in-Chief
