Dear Identity Theory readers,
On Groundhog Day (2/2/2023), we announced (most of) the winners of our 2022-word writing contest.
I wrote you a nice little Substack about it, complete with obligatory cliché references to Phil Connors. But you sure as heckfire don’t remember getting that one because Substack ate it before it went out (probably for the best), freezing it in a state of limbo from which it has not emerged. Just know that if you ever get a cheesy email blast from me about Groundhog Day, it’s Substack playing a trick on all of us—or Phil finally learning his lesson and making his way out of that tiny village in western Pennsylvania.
Today, 2/22/2023, we published the winners of our 2022 writing contest on the site, including the 2022-word pieces and the 22-word poems.
Best 2022 of 2022 Winners
Best 2022-word essay: “Getting Somewhere” by Wendy Fontaine
Essay honorable mentions: Nick Gaudio, Kevin Grauke
Best 2022-word short stories: “Lifecycles” by Edie Meade, “Cup-O-Noodle” by Christopher Mohar
Fiction honorable mentions: Z.H. Gill, Robbie Herbst
Best 2022-word poem: “Some People Take the Edge Off” by Bradley David
Poetry honorable mention: J-T Kelly
Almost all judging for the contest was done by our staff, while Meagan Lucas of Reckon Review joined as an additional fiction judge. After extensive discussion, we voted to name two winners for fiction.
Bonus Winners: The Best 22-Word Poems of 2022
We received far more entries of 22-word poems than 2022-word stories. (Who could’ve seen that coming?)
The official results of the 22-word contest are below, but you can read all the 22-word poetry winners in one place because a) it’s easier that way and b) we love them all equally: “The Best 22-Word Poems of 2022.”
Winner, best set of two 22-word poems: Diane Gottlieb
Runner up, best set of two 22-word poems: Angela Acosta
Winner, best individual 22-word poem: Fatima van Hattum
Runner up, best individual 22-word poem: Julia Watson
Other Super-Good Stuff from 2022
I lagged on the Substack toward the end of the year and didn’t send you the rest of our 2022 award nominees. They include:
Best Small Fictions Nominees
We nominated the following four stories from 2022 for Best Small Fictions 2023. Read them again for the first time:
“To Taste a Merman” by Lisa Alletson
“The Funeral Clown” by Will Musgrove
“A Night in October” by Megan Neary
“Stephen Tries His Hand at Microfiction” by Stephen Snowder
Pushcart Nominees
2022 was the first year Identity Theory nominated pieces for the Pushcart. (Somehow, despite being one of the earlier lit mags to launch online, we still find new ways to arrive late to parties.)
These pieces were worth the wait—and postage:
“Ruskin and the Horses” by Jack B. Bedell (poetry)
“Adjacent” by Nicholas Grider (fiction)
“Unrooted” by L. Andrew Huffman (fiction)
“Love is Iraq” by Christine Ma-Kellams (fiction)
“The Batman of Perry County” by Cody Shrum (fiction)
“Almost Mothers” by Stephanie Vessely (nonfiction)
This closes the book on 2022—perhaps six weeks too late for the world, but just the right time for us.
In the end, it’s important to do things when you’re ready.
More soon,
Matt Borondy
EIC
Identity Theory
P.S. We may be adding to our fiction team. You can apply here or email me for details.
P.P.S. We no longer accept paid submissions. We accept donations to keep up with operational costs.
P.P.P.S. We may have secret operatives at AWP next month. They may have Identity Theory stickers for you. Email me if you want to catch up with them.