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Humber Literary Review Fiction Contest Winners


humber literary review

The Humber Literary Review is pleased to announce the inaugural winners of its first annual Emerging Writers Fiction Contest. Bestselling author Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer judged the contest from a longlist of 11 writers that was compiled by the HLR’s editorial collective. Kuitenbrouwer had the following to say about the selected stories: “This batch of stories reminds me of how the emotional concision of the short story as a form holds a kind of meaning. I am privileged in this task to be introduced to some very fine writing, some indelible plots, but most of all many unique and urgent voices. The short story can breathe new life into the world, and this lot of stories accomplishes that and more.”

First prize has been awarded to Brittany Smith for her short story, “Sand.”

Mahak Jain’s “In Transit” took second place.

Georgia Wilder’s “English Lessons” received third place.

The Humber Literary Review, a biannual literary and arts magazine established in 2014 by the English Department ofHumber College, publishes interviews, reviews, short fiction, poetry, comics and artwork. Past contributors and interview subjects include Oscar-nominated writer Emma Donoghue; Canada Reads finalist Michael Winter; Sheila Heti; Douglas Coupland; Karen Solie; Russell Smith; Priscila Uppal; Mariko Tamaki; Travis Shilling; Ann-Marie MacDonald, plus many other established and emerging artists. 

Issue 5 of the magazine will also include contributions by Wab Kinew, Marina Endicott, artist Kim Dorland, and Parliamentary Poet Laureate George Elliot Clarke. An event to celebrate the winners of the fiction contest, and the launch of issue 5, will take place in Toronto in the spring.

For more information, please contact managing editors, Sarah Armenia (Sarah.Armenia@humber.ca) and Meaghan Strimas (Meaghan.Strimas@humber.ca).