Interview With Breeann Adam, Winter 2026 Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up

Breeann Adam is a writer, stay-at-home-mom, and former special education teacher. Hope, love, and the beauty in everyday life inspire her creative endeavors. Her first book, a children’s book rooted in exploration, joy, and wonder, will debut in July 2026. A lifelong Montanan, she currently lives in Bonner, Montana, with her family. You can connect with her on Substack at Just Write Mama, or on her website, justwritemama.com.

--interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on placing as a runner up in our Winter 2026 Flash Fiction competition. What prompted you to enter the contest?

Breeann: Thank you! I love writing short fiction stories, but I never write them as often as I’d like. Over the past seven years, I’ve been working hard on a personal memoir-style book about my experience as a foster parent, publishing personal essays on my Substack page, and, more recently, writing a children’s book. These have been wonderful projects, but they have been very all-consuming creatively, and I haven’t written much fiction while working on those other projects. I found this contest online, and I thought it would be a good motivator to write a fiction story and have some fun.

WOW: Can you tell us what encouraged the idea behind your story, “Aromas, California, 2007?”

Breeann: Sure. I was actually reading the guest judge’s biographical information, and in her bio, she mentioned she enjoyed CrossFit. I also loved CrossFit for a number of years, so it sparked my interest as a setting for a story. What I really wanted to focus on from my own CrossFit experience was how empowering it felt as a woman to lift heavy weights and become stronger; an important part of CrossFit gyms is that there are rarely mirrors in the gyms. The focus is on getting stronger and improving your own skills, not on losing weight or having a certain aesthetic. I had done a lot of types of exercise leading up to CrossFit, but CrossFit was certainly the most empowering activity that I had participated in up to that point. While the story and characters are entirely fictional, the feeling behind the main character’s journey is inspired by my own journey. Oh, while the current-day CrossFit Games are a big, polished production with money, sponsorships, and professional athletes, the inaugural Games in 2007 were, as described in the story, casual, low-budget, and open to anyone who wanted to try. Ultimately, this story is about a woman who knew she had to try–for herself.

WOW: We’d love to know more about your writing routines. Could you tell us when and where you usually write? Do you have favorite tools or habits that get you going?

Breeann: I’m a mom of three children, so typically I write during my toddler’s naptime. I like to use my lap desk and write from bed. Although sometimes writing during naptime just can’t happen due to other responsibilities, so I will often also write in my Google Docs app on my phone while in appointment waiting rooms, in my backyard while my kids play, or while I have a few extra minutes here and there. My favorite tool is not very exciting: it’s a piece of notebook paper with a bunch of checkboxes drawn on it. I check off one box every day that I write for any amount of time, and I try to get as many consecutive days as I can. For me, I’m a task-oriented person, so it’s motivating to see all the boxes get checked and a project start to come together, box by box.

WOW: Great tips to try! Your first book is set to debut in July 2026, which is exciting. Can you share a bit about the book? What was your writing and publishing journey like?

Breeann: Yes, it’s so exciting! The book is an ABC rhyming picture book for children called “B is for Bonner: The ABCs of Bonner, Montana.” Bonner, Montana, is where I live, and it’s a tiny gem of a town that I wanted to write a book about, so I could share it with my own children first and foremost, and then share the beauty of our town with others. Ultimately, the book features nature, animals, music, history, and other local highlights, but encourages each reader to find joy, wonder, and beauty wherever they are in the world. The idea for the book mysteriously came to me as I was walking through a local bookstore, having a little pity party for myself about a completely unrelated creative failure! Funny how that works, isn’t it? I went home and immediately began to write my first draft. I went through many, many drafts, rewrites, and edits. I had others read it and give feedback on each version, and then I was lucky to find a local illustrator who does gorgeous work. She brought the book to life in a really magical way. I chose a printing company, and in just a couple of months, the books should arrive! As with most creative endeavors, the process took longer than anticipated, and the book will debut a couple of months later than planned. The process from first draft to publication has taken about one year total, and it has been so much fun! My next step will be sharing the book with local bookstores, schools, and anyone else who is interested in an adventurous and fun book about a trip through a Montana town.

WOW: Good luck with your book promotion, and thanks so much for chatting with us today, Breeann. Before you go, do you have a favorite writing tip or piece of advice you can share?

Breeann: My most proven tip is to never underestimate the power of taking even the smallest steps forward. Patience and perseverance win the race every time. Stuck? Add page numbers to your draft and walk away for the day. Come back tomorrow. Write one sentence. Change one word. Literally, take a single tiny step forward. Keep doing that as consistently as you can, and it’s amazing what you can create over time.

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Interview with Elizabeth Hoban, 2nd Place Winner in the Winter 2026 Flash Fiction Contest

 

Elizabeth is a traditionally published author of The Secrets That Save Us and The Cheech Room, and a historical nonfiction novel, The Final Mission, a Boy, a Pilot and a World at War. She has written numerous newspaper and magazine articles over the years. She has won several writing awards, including Bethlehem Writers Circle Best in Prose 2018, Writers Digest runner-up in Memoir 2019, Millennium runner-up for Best in Prose 2023, and Reedsy first-place award for two short stories and two short-listed. Her first winning story appears in 2025 Reedsy Anthology. She received the Miriam Chaiken Award for Best in Prose 2025, and is the 2026 guest judge for same. In 2025, she won Women on Writing (WOW) Q3 Essay Contest Award 2025, as well as 3rd place in WOW 2026 Q1 Flash Fiction. 

 Aside from writing, Elizabeth is a Nurse Practitioner who loves spending time with her kids and her four-legged antidepressants. She doubts any of her 6 adult kids have ever read her work – maybe her cat Seuss based on his pedigree. 

----------Interview by Renee Roberson

WOW: Hi Elizabeth, and welcome! I"m excited for our chat today. First of all, I have to mention to our readers that you had two stories place in this contest! We're going to have you back on August 11 to discuss your other winning story, "A New Normal." Today, we'll start with discussing your second place winner. "Downloading Hemingway” features a twisty narrative that slowly builds tension throughout, ultimately ending in a shocking conclusion. Where did you first get the idea for this story? 

Elizabeth: I attended a funeral service a couple of years ago with a dear friend who didn't want to go alone, and it was held in the family home. I was shocked at how people could come and go - no guest sign-ins - just a lot of people partying, including the widow of the young man who had died. It was a drunk-driving accident, but that went unsaid other than those who were close to the widow and her late husband. And many of the platitudes, as an objective observer, I found absurd. They'd recently had a baby who was basically unattended in a back room - just a basic baby monitor the widow/mother had next to her outside on a table. That was when the story came to me - I decided to use a neighboring dog as a distraction. Since the widow had no idea who I was and barely knew my friend (my friend was a casual coworker of the widow's mother), I didn't feel it was unethical, but that's why I chose to write it in second person. Obviously, no baby was stolen, but it was easy to envision that scenario. 

WOW: I love how you pulled observations from a real-life experience  and wove them throughout a fictional narrative. It really made the story come alive, in my opinion. In your bio you mention having written for magazines and newspapers as well. How has that professional experience influenced what you choose to write about creatively? 

Elizabeth: I always wanted to be a writer and started books but never got past the first few chapters before moving to something else. I was at an event with my children in my twenties when I met a newspaper journalist and asked him if I could write a humorous column about being a single mom. As a widowed mother, I had so many stories to share. The journalist was kind enough to humor me and asked me to send him a few pieces. I was so fortunate that he had a similar sense of humor and gave me a byline, "Single and Surviving," for several years. I soon realized that if I could write close to 300 columns totaling about 900 pages, why couldn't I finish a novel? Writing my first book took a decade and was harder than grad school, but I became obsessed with finishing it. I was able to get that book published a few years after completion, but it was not easy.

WOW: Writing a full-length novel is not for the faint of heart, but you did it! You've also completed a full-length work of nonfiction, too! Your book The Final Mission, a Boy, a Pilot and a World at War is a true story about your father. Can you tell us what the process was like working on a story so close to your family? 

Elizabeth: This was an act of love for sure. I am by no means a history expert. I mix up Mussolini and Napoleon (eye-roll). When my father was in his nineties, we learned through a simple Google search that the Austrian government had been searching for my dad for years, and they had erected a monument in the ravine where his B-17 went down. Apparently, there was a six-year-old boy who witnessed my dad's heroic efforts to veer his plane away from Innsbruck and straight into the Austrian Alps. He bailed out with seconds to spare and was taken POW for the rest of the war. My father never talked about his war experiences, so discovering this Austrian heroism over 60 years later was a miracle. If it weren't for the internet, we would never have known. The boy who witnessed the heroic maneuvers never forgot my dad, and when he was in his 60s, he took part in the search for him. He was able to thank him personally when we were invited to Austria. I recall saying to my dad at one point that it would make a great story, and he said, "...then write it." 

I spent about 2 years interviewing my dad - everywhere we went because he was too old to drive I recorded him and just kept grilling him with questions, figuring if not now, his story will be lost when he dies. He was able to find closure in finally talking about all of it - the book is amazing, but it is not my story - it belongs to my father, and I wrote it for him. He lived till 100 years old, and we were able to do numerous book signings, and he gave speeches; luckily, he was lucid until he died of a sudden stroke. I had already written The Cheech Room, which took almost ten years, as it was my first novel. I was raising kids at the time and had to carve out an hour here and there, but they were grown by the time I wrote Dad's story. It took 3 years to write it and about an hour to find a non-fiction publisher - Westholme Publishing in Yardley, PA who called me after I sent out ten queries to publishers, and he was very interested, especially because the entire book was written already. I had always heard it was easier with a nonfiction book that has a decent proposal to go straight to publishing houses and bypass the agent. It proved true for me. The Final Mission, a Boy, a Pilot and a World at War was published a year later. After my first book was traditionally published, it didn't take long for my two other books to be picked up by a fiction publisher. An interesting fact: my dad's publisher's name is Bruce Franklin, and he is a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin. His publishing house in Yardley was home to Benjamin at one point. 

WOW: What an amazing experience both learning about that piece of family history and documenting it with your father. Kudos! I remember your award-winning essay “You” from the WOW! Q3 2025 Creative Nonfiction Contest. Have you given any further thought to writing that memoir you mentioned during that interview? 

Elizabeth: I have a few about 200 pages of my memoir done and no title yet. Every time I write a section, I recall another pertinent story and have to go back and put it in sequence. It hasn't been easy, but winning WOW last year really encouraged me to get started on it, which I did. I am writing an anthology of my short stories, and once a week, I try to devote a few hours to the memoir. This is another act of love and can be emotional. Even if it never gets published, I am okay with that. I will have it bound for my kids someday. 

WOW: What does a typical day look like for you as far as working on your various writing projects? How do you manage your time? 

Elizabeth: I will admit, I am not a great time manager - I can get easily distracted with 6 adult kids to keep track of; however, I never watch TV, and I rarely sit down and read a book, but rather listen to books when I am commuting/driving. I feel guilty when I am not writing while I sit and support others' work, whether in TV or books. Having said that, I am an avid reader and finish about 100 books/year. I work full-time as a nurse practitioner, but hope to cut back to part-time in 2027 to spend more time on my writing endeavors. Currently, I spend about three hours at the end of the day writing, and I take the weekends off. I find that when I return to whatever I was working on, fresh on Monday evening, I am more motivated and can more easily find flaws and weak spots. I have always heard that one should step away from a piece of writing for a while, then return to it with fresh eyes. It took me a while to do that without feeling guilty - but after publishing a few books now, I know that advice is very true. 

WOW: Well, you certainly know how to manage your time in my humble opinion! I look forward to sharing more about you with our readers in a separate interview next month. Happy Writing!

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Interview with Fiona Jensen, Runner Up in the WOW! Q2 2026 Creative Nonfiction Contest

 

From a childhood divided between Scottish castles and the tundra of the Canadian Arctic, Fiona’s experiences have tumbled across the raising up a brace of heart-strong kids, a career in psychiatry, cherished connections with friends, bizarre health adventures and an enduring drive to create. She offers a bow of gratitude to her writing circle—that’s looking at you Beth, Patricia, Liz and Dianne. Her words have found print in the Tadpole Press Literary Magazine, Writer Advice, 101 Words and beyond. 

 ----------Interview by Renee Roberson 

WOW: Hi, Fiona, and welcome! First of all, can we talk about your delightful bio? I was smiling the whole time I read it. What tips would you give someone who needs to put together their writer bio and wants to infuse as much of their personality as they can into it? 

Fiona: Initially, I was mystified by the task of condensing my life into just a few sentences. I ended up considering what I most valued in the story of my life and what might intrigue others. The intersection of the two became my starting point. I will confess, I was rather taken aback at the idea of listing publications at the end. This challenged that irksome imperative to modesty I, like so many women, picked up somewhere along the way. Everyone seems to do it though, so I tacked a few publications on the end. I guess the next time around, I can add Women on Writing! 

WOW: That's right! We recommend you toot your own horn whenever you can. "Instructions for Creating a Love Tapestry" is a complex and beautiful essay about the universal experience of parenting and the overwhelming emotions we feel as caregivers, no matter what the age of our children. How did you first get the idea for this piece? 

Fiona: My impetus for this autobiographical essay is to offer parents newly facing the challenge of caring for a special needs kiddo a leg up. If it also allows those who have not travelled such a path a glimpse of what this form of love looks like, so much the better. The hermit crab format arose after several clumsy attempts to write the story more directly. Those drafts came across as problematically raw. Re-shaping the story as a set of craft instructions allowed me to leaven the anguish with a touch of humour, aiming for that Goldilocks balance between intimacy and spaciousness. What a treat to read Sophie Berghouse's eloquent hermit crab essay “World’s BEST Special-Needs Parent Recipe” – another runner up in this contest addressing similar themes. 

WOW: Yes, Sophie's work is another great example! You placed in the Tadpole Press April 2025 100-Word Writing Contest with your whimsical piece, "On Observing a Wagging Rump." How difficult was it for you to pare your thoughts down to the 100 words? Do you have any advice for anyone else wanting to try their hand at such brevity? 

Fiona: “On Observing a Wagging Rump” was the easiest piece I ever wrote. I dictated it as a voice note on my phone while walking Peggy Dog on a snowy day. It clocked in at 31 words and I never revised a syllable. I’m delighted that others enjoy it. I laboured far more on some of my other efforts at micro-memoir. Despite starting with a single idea expressed in a single scene with a tiny story arc, I frequently ended up over the word count. It turns out this is a wonderful problem. I learned so much about crafting concise sentences by cutting down my own work. I am astonished how many phrases suddenly appear extraneous when I need to cut another 50 words. I heartily recommend trying to reduce a piece by 10%. It gets to be rather fun with practice. 

WOW: How did you first learn about the WOW! Women on Writing Creative Nonfiction Contest and what inspired you to submit? 

Fiona: Early on in exploring where writing might take me, which is to say a year and a bit ago, I realized authors who write for others all have a heap of rejections lurking in some hidden file. I decided that I might as well plunge in and see if I could collect a heap of rejections too. In the process, I reviewed a number of websites offering information on contests and journal submission opportunities. (I wish someone had told me about Duotrope earlier–a much simpler way to explore.) Women on Writing appeared on several of these lists, so I checked it out and felt an affinity with WOW’s values and community feeling. As well as the contests, I enjoyed a couple of WOW courses. They helped me understand my writing in new ways. I can now brag of 56 rejections and am aiming for 100+. (Now, I must confess–you remember that over-wrought sense of modest propriety I mentioned earlier? Well, it is telling me most sternly that I ought not to mention that one of my earlier pieces, “I, Also” scored an Honourable Mention in WOW Q # 2025. And there have been a handful of other non-rejections along the way. There–telling you is my act of courage for the day.) 

WOW: I love that. What writing projects are you currently working on now? 

Fiona: Like “Instructions for Crafting a Love Tapestry,” much of my writing focuses on dilemmas in caregiving. As a parent, a family caregiver, a person with chronic illness and a healthcare professional, I never lack for material. Currently, much of my work revolves around health care workers serving others at an emotional or spiritual cost to themselves--and yes, those also have an autobiographical inspiration. One working title is “A Psychiatrist Loses Her Mind–and Finds a New One.”

WOW: Fiona, it's been a pleasure! I look forward to reading more of your work (rejections or not!)

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Interview With Ari Honarvar, Winter 2026 Flash Fiction Contest 1st Place Winner

Ari Honarvar is the founder of Rumi with a View, an initiative dedicated to bridging the arts, social justice, and wellbeing. Her words have been featured in The Guardian, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and elsewhere. Drawing from her childhood experiences of war and oppression and her work with underserved communities, she facilitates Resilience through Joy workshops for refugees, healthcare workers, and social justice advocates worldwide. She is the author of the critically acclaimed novel A Girl Called Rumi and the bestselling oracle deck, Rumi’s Gift.

--interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on winning first place in our Winter 2026 Flash Fiction competition! What inspired you to write your story, “The Pomegranate Tree?”

Ari: This piece is inspired by a conversation I had with my father during the Iran-Iraq war. It’s a wartime memory I later wove into my novel A Girl Called Rumi, which draws on my childhood in Iran, immigration to the US, and the mythic, rich landscape of Iranian culture and literature.

I also wanted to address something that rarely makes the news: the environmental cost of war. The pomegranate tree became the heart of that. And underneath it all, the piece is asking the question that haunts anyone who has ever been attacked: Why do they hate us?

For the contest, I revised the piece to include modern warfare and the killing of schoolchildren. I had been following US/Israel drone attacks for years, and in February, I had a feeling the US was going to attack Iran again. Three days after I submitted the story, the US attacked the school in Minab and killed over 100 elementary school kids. I got chills when it happened in real life. And of course, I was devastated. 

WOW: Such terrible loss, it's hard to imagine. Thank you for sharing your contest entry with us. 

You’ve also written fiction and nonfiction in various forms and lengths. Do you find one more challenging than the others? Are you drawn to one form more than the others?

Ari: I find fiction to be more challenging—always. I do enjoy both, but I write more nonfiction because it's easier, it lets me say what I mean directly, and I get paid for it. Fiction is world-building and more meditative. When I get lost in it, there's nothing quite like it.

WOW: What advice would you give to someone wanting to try writing flash fiction for the first time?

Ari: Make every word count. That's the only rule that separates flash from longer fiction. Every sentence should earn its place by being evocative, necessary, or both. In your first draft, give yourself the freedom and space to tell the story without paying attention to the length, with all the details intact. Then hone and hone until it's within the word limit. I also believe in grounding any work of fiction in five or more senses and in layering emotion throughout.

WOW: What are you reading right now, and why did you choose to read it?

Ari: I'm finishing Chef's Kiss by TJ Alexander. A friend recommended it, and it's Pride Month, so the timing felt right. And I'm starting The Trial by Kafka. I read it in high school, but wanted to return to it now that I work with asylum seekers and refugees. So much of the legal labyrinth they navigate feels like living inside an existentialist novel—bureaucratic, absurd, and so dehumanizing. And Kafka’s book feels prophetic. For me, balancing something heavy with something warm and enjoyable is the way to go, reading-wise.

WOW: Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Ari. Before you go, what encouragement or advice can you give to writers about entering writing contests?

Ari: Do it! Contests give you a deadline, somewhat of a constraint, and a reason to polish your work. Even if you don't place, you get to see what won and notice why it moved the judges. And you never know! Sometimes the piece you almost didn't submit is the one that changes everything.

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Interview with Sophie Berghouse - WOW! Q2 Creative Nonfiction Essay Runner Up

With a nod toward any baseball fans, Sophie Berghouse has the distinction of a literary double play in the Q2 Creative Nonfiction Essay contest. She was named a runner-up TWICE in the same contest, for Weeding Your Garden and World's BEST Special-Needs Parent Recipe. Although the essays are very different in style and tone, they are similar in their portrayal of strong emotions – as well as being a little quirky.

Sophie was raised in the Midwest and spent the first three decades of her life there. She attended medical school, completed her residency and fellowship, and felt pleased her life was comfortably mapped out. Then life introduced a plot twist: a permanent move to Germany due to her husband's job. Just as she began to find a new rhythm within the different language and culture, Sophie faced another plot twist she never saw coming: her third child was born with severe disabilities. When Sophie grows up, she wants to write a novel about traveling Europe with a wheelchair and four kids in tow. For now, she will focus on short stories detailing her (mis)adventures in parenting, special needs, and most importantly, living. She hopes her experiences can support and encourage other women and mothers facing unexpected life changes. 

She is not a big fan of socials but grudgingly accepts that they are here to stay. You can find her on Substack: @sophieberghouse, where, in her words, she has a mightily underwhelming number of followers. 

WOW: After several years of WOW Writing contests, we have many writers who have won notice for more than one entry. But you are the first one I know of who received two runner-up places in the same contest. Congratulations! Just curious, how many pieces did you enter in the Q2 2026 Essay contest? And do you have an tips for people who want to enter a writing contest?

Sophie: That’s great! I didn’t know that. There was a phrase we used in pathology: “The eyes perceive what the mind sees.” And all I had noticed was that I wasn’t in the top three. I should have had gratitude about placing at all (there have been plenty of times that hasn’t happened). Thank you for the new perspective. I entered two pieces in that Q2 2026 Essay contest.

As for tips, it’s worthwhile to get an editor which is just another way of saying ‘experienced beta-reader’. Although saying 'editor' sounds like you have a million-dollar, multiple book deal with a NY publishing house, you can hire one at any level. It is particularly helpful if you didn't get an MFA or are otherwise new to the writing world. I found an editor here at WOW (shout out to Chelsey Clammer!) 

WOW: You are new to the writing world. What does your family think about your transformation from doctor/parent to doctor/parent/writer?

Sophie: My husband is my biggest supporter. And the kids, I think they barely noticed. Except for my teenage daughter who asks me whether she can have my prize money—apparently there is a shade of eyeliner she doesn’t own yet.

WOW: Ah, the teenage search for the perfect eyeliner - there might be an essay in that. You have a very busy life. Do you find time to write daily?

Sophie: I wish. But I have a day job of parenting four children. I know it’s not part of the question,

but I’m going to steal the mic here for a quick PSA second: parenting is a career even if society considers it a side-gig. And because it doesn't get remunerated, it carries even less status. But I like to think of myself as the head of a small organization with feisty and rebellious employees, who—and this is important—cannot be fired. So the next time someone asks what I do, I am going to reply “I’m a stay-at-home-CEO.” That should give it the appropriate weight. Ok, here’s the mic back.

WOW: So tell us a little about writing while parenting. Are there any advantages?

Sophie: The adventures and disasters I observe in our microcosm give me a lot of fodder for writing, so it’s a good symbiosis. And as my kids get older, I have more free gaps where I can sit down and get some thoughts on the page. But it's never a daily opportunity. On the other hand, I try to read daily—even if it’s just a quick essay. Depending on how widely one defines writing, then maybe I do feed my writing life daily.   

WOW: What do you do when you aren't writing?

Sophie: Mostly, parenting in all its nuances. I have two teenagers and two grade-schoolers, one of

whom has severe cognitive and physical disabilities. They each have different needs and I have to meet each one where they are. I am slowly finding my way out of the daily survival that parenting young children entails and am now faced with metamorphosing into a new me. I am not quite sure who that is yet, but I know it will have something to do with writing.

WOW: Since your family is living in Germany was it difficult to find a writing community, especially as a newbie?

Sophie: You’re never far away if you have internet, I found. With the plethora of online classes, I

don’t feel disadvantaged for being abroad—maybe a few instances if online presence is necessary and it corresponds to 2 a.m. here. I did that once, and then I realized that I am way past college age where I could absorb getting up in the middle of the night with no cost. But now I just sign up for asynchronous classes or video classes—with a link so I can watch later.

WOW was recommended by a friend. I was tied into a different writing organization, but I felt their classes were prohibitively expensive. Sometimes I marvel about the universe, how pieces fall into place just when they are meant to. And WOW was exactly the community that I was looking for. I love the diversity of classes offered, the articles about timely writing subjects, and, of course, the contests. And no, I am not getting a kick-back for saying all of this. It’s genuine.

WOW: And we are genuinely happy that you found WOW. What is one of your writing challenges?

Sophie: Just one? (Laughs) The paralyzing doubts, the voices that whisper that no one cares about your writing, there are enough writers out there--you have nothing to add. And that was before you got a rejection from a lit mag. But luckily, I have learned that it happens to everyone--even experienced, known writers. I try to step back from the emotions and observe. And if I really feel down in the dumps, I grab a copy of any craft book (Anne Lammott's first chapter of Bird by Bird as an example) and that gives me back some motivation.  

WOW: What’s up next for your writing life?

Sophie: I still want to write a memoir about parenting a child with disability. I feel that advocacy and community are crucial—sharing our story is my contribution. But I also want to write a story that is interesting to a broader readership. I still haven’t figured out how to do that yet. Until then, I will continue to find my voice and style by writing shorter essays.

WOW: Then we will continue to enjoy your writing, who knows, maybe next time you will be in the top three.

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Interview with Jill Martin, 3rd Place Winner in the WOW! Q2 2026 Creative Nonfiction Contest

 

Jill Martin writes and lives in Northern Virginia. Previously a federal government lawyer, she now travels extensively with her husband, and writes a Substack newsletter about what she learns from her travels (https://jillme3801.substack.com/). She has completed her first novel, which is still unpublished, and has started on her second. She also writes short stories, several of which have won prizes. She loves going to writing conferences to improve her craft, and enjoys meeting other writers. 

 ----------Interview by Renee Roberson 

WOW: Congratulations, Jill, and welcome!"Recipe for Mom's KitchenAid Mixer" is a great example of a hermit crab essay. Did you always plan to structure this piece as a recipe and what is it you like about this particular format? 

Jill: I only recently learned about hermit crab essays. Last year I took a short online course in creative nonfiction (a webinar by Nicole Breit) and that got me thinking about different forms and how you can address an emotionally difficult subject in a structured essay. I like the way that you can uncover some of your deep feelings and memories in this way. I tried several things that didn't work too well, and then one day when I got out my mom's Kitchenaid and all these feelings came flooding in, I wanted to sit and write immediately. But I needed to finish the recipe first.

WOW: I was envious when you shared that your mother's KitchenAid mixer was likely from the 1950s! Are there any other antiques or similar treasures you've chosen to write about over the years? 

Jill: I'm grateful that you asked this question, because my first response was "no," but then I remembered that I wrote something years ago about a tiny family heirloom. Now I need to go back and find that essay, and improve it. 

WOW: I love it! It's always a good idea to do a "spring cleaning" of our files because we often forget about buried treasures such as that one. You are hard at work on writing novels, and bravo to your latest work in progress! What genres would you categorize your work as? How long did it take you to complete the first manuscript? 

Jill: My first novel took me 2-3 years to complete, and I'm still editing as I get further feedback. It's contemporary women's fiction (or "book club fiction" or "upmarket fiction"). My second novel is completely different; it's either YA or middle-grades, and it's about fairies, so it's in the fantasy genre. That's also something that's not recommended by agents; they want you to stick to one genre. But I'm doing what I want to do right now. 

WOW: Follow your heart. I'm also one of those people that likes to write a variety of genres--I get bored when I stick to the same thing all the time! As someone who keeps waffling back and forth about whether I should start a Substack, how has your experience with it been? Do you have a regular publication schedule for it, and what other Substacks do you subscribe to?

Jill: I have surprised myself with how much I enjoy writing my Substack newsletter. When I first started it, the focus was just on my travels. But lately I've been throwing a lot of other stuff against the wall. I've posted a poem, a short story, and several essays. I heard from one friend who was upset because she wanted to read only my travel posts and nothing else. I should probably re-brand the newsletter because it's basically my writing platform now. I don't have a regular schedule for posting my newsletter, although it's a recommended practice. Sometimes months go by between my posts, and then I'll post a bunch in a row (e.g., following a trip somewhere). I subscribe to several Substacks by successful fiction writers, on the craft of writing. My favorite is George Saunders. I also subscribe to several by political writers, as well as the Substacks of writer friends whom I've met at workshops. 

WOW: Our community here loves a good writing conference or residency! What types of conferences have you been to so far and what advice would you give to someone attending one for the first time? 

Jill: I recommend attending as many conferences and workshops as your time and wallet permit. I've been to many different types: quick online workshops that are 1-3 hours; 2- or 3-day writing conferences that are open to all and focus on the craft of writing (e.g. the Women's Fiction Writers Ass'n conference); conferences that focus on pitching agents (I've done in-person as well as online ones); and conferences that include both pitching opportunities and talks on craft (Atlanta Writing Conference, Washington Writers Conference; TBR in Boston). The most helpful ones for my writing have been the competitive-entry workshops that are intensive, in-person, and include an instructor who gives feedback (e.g., the Yale Writers' Workshop). My advice for someone attending a conference for the first time is to be social and meet other writers, even if that's not easy for you. Networking is quite helpful; I've learned a lot from other writers. You can also practice your pitches with them!

WOW: Thank you so much for all this great advice and a peek into your writing life! Congratulations again and we can't wait to read more from you. 

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Interview with Sarah Kennedy: Fall 2025 Flash Fiction Runner Up

Sarah Kennedy is an emerging writer from the Midlands, UK. She writes mostly short stories and Flash fiction, with stories longlisted in Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction, Honourable Mentions in Elegant Literature, and a flash piece published on Tortive Lit. Sarah can be found at @svkenn.bsky.social.

--interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on placing as a runner up in our Fall 2025 Flash Fiction competition. What prompted you to enter the contest?

Sarah: I love a deadline! It’s hard for me to carve out writing time, so I search for competitions and submissions with deadlines to give me something to work towards and force me to make time to write. I had the story already written and hoped that the themes it explores might be a good fit for WOW. I’ve read the fabulous stories you publish, and it’s an honour to have placed as a runner up.

WOW: Can you tell us what encouraged the idea behind your story, “I Need This Like I Need a Head in the Hole?” It seems like it could be based on the lives of many mothers.

Sarah: I often draw on my experience of fertility and parenthood when writing, especially the impact on mental health and identity. I work full time, have two beautiful, energetic boys, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E., so the stresses that come with balancing life, health and work has been a big influence on my writing, and on this story in particular.

I initially wrote the story for the Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction (for anyone who isn’t familiar with it, have a listen to the podcast). It’s a quarterly contest with different prompts each time. The brief for this one was to break the ‘show don’t tell’ rule. I wanted to play around with the idea of behaviour showing what we’re unable to say. The hole is based on a real hole, a tiny one in my own wall that I managed to convince myself that something was living inside. I’ll blame exhaustion and my peri-menopausal brain!

WOW: We’d love to know more about your writing routines. Could you tell us when and where you usually write? Do you have favorite tools or habits that get you going?

Sarah: I have a very fragmented routine and can't dedicate much time to sriting, as much as I want to. Between work, health, and my boys, by the time I think about writing I’m falling asleep! That’s where the deadlines help. I especially like prompt-based, time limited contests. They can be intense, but they force me to make time and create something new, incorporating characters and settings I'd never have touched otherwise. These are the stories that I will later edit and refine for other submission slots and how I got here with WOW!

I’d love to write every day, and I know that’s what everyone recommends, but it’s just not possible. I try to use evenings and weekends where I can. I work best in a pub or café where I’m free of distractions at home. My husband is very supportive at creating opportunities, and if I know I’ve got a busy writing week with upcoming deadlines, I’ll book time off work where possible.

I’m actually reducing my hours to help manage my CFS/M.E. and I’m hoping to use that extra time writing and add some structure to my writing routine (when I’m not catching up on sleep).

WOW: Are you working on any writing projects right now? What’s next for you?

Sarah: I’ve fallen in love with flash fiction, so I’ll continue the prompt-based competitions, and using those stories for other submission slots (including WOW). I started entering these contests shortly after I attempted a first draft of a novel. I quickly realized that I didn't know what I was doing, and I needed to work on my writing skills. Flash fiction contests seemed like a good way to try and improve. That was over a year ago and while I'm not giving up the flash competitions, it's time to slow that down a bit and get back to that novel.

WOW: Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Sarah. Before you go, do you have a favorite writing tip or piece of advice you can share?

Sarah: I’m sure it’s been said a lot, but find a writing community! Through the various competitions I’ve found, I’ve connected with other writers. I’ve joined a couple of discord writing groups where we beta read each other’s work and share ideas. The peer to peer feedback process is so valuable in honing your skills. It's a reciprocal process, providing feedback for others is just as beneficial for your own writing as the feedback you review from them.

These competitions are so helpful for anyone struggling for ideas or motivation. I can recommend Not Quite Write, Writing Battle, and Twisted Tournament (WOW as well, obviously).

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Interview with Bianca Jones, 2nd Place Winner in the WOW! Fall 2025 Flash Fiction Contest

 

Bianca Jones is a library assistant, developmental editor, and fiction writer represented by Leah Pierre of Ladderbird Literary Agency. She writes sweet young adult romance and dark, unsettling horror…and she would love to combine the two one day. You can find her on X (formerly Twitter) at BJOwrites. 

----------Interview by Renee Roberson 

WOW: Hello, Bianca, and welcome! I loved your winning story,  “A Forgiveness of Crows," which discusses a family curse and the ability to break the cycle of generational trauma. How did you first get the idea for this piece? 

Bianca: I’ve always admired crows for their gentleness, mischievous nature, and their extreme intelligence. Recently, I watched a blip of a video, maybe 45 seconds long, about crows’ ability to form relationships. Crows are familial creatures that have long memories and can hold grudges for up to 17 years! If you hurt one, you can end up catching a thwack on the head from its grandchild years later—they mean business. As an African-American in the South, connecting crows to Jim Crow came as easily as saying the word “crow” out loud. So, I started there, and the “family history” unfolded all on its own. I’m interested in exploring this idea in an extended format, maybe as a novelette, in the future! There’s a small detail of my narrator being a woman—a break in the cycle of sons that become fathers who are killed by the crow curse—that could have several meanings. Was it actually her tiny son’s kindness that broke the curse? Did the curse require a “male sacrifice” of sorts, and that’s why she was spared? Or was it something else entirely? I’m quite eager to know myself. 

WOW: I did not know that about crows! I can definitely see this being extended into a longer story. Have you published any flash fiction or short stories prior to this one? Where do you find your ideas? 

Bianca: I actually haven’t published any flash fiction before! I’m a novelist, and I’ve never considered myself strong at writing short fiction; I’m far too long-winded for that. In fact, I wrote “A Forgiveness of Crows” as a 2,200-word short story before I re-read the contest rules and realized I was supposed to be writing flash fiction, so I had to cut down this story quite a bit! It was a lovely challenge, though, and it’s made me more confident in my ability to write short fiction. My ideas come from odd tidbits and things I learn, or from inspiration in books that I read; working at a library gives me a lot of inspiration to work with all day long. 

WOW: You are represented by Ladderbird Literary Agency. Could you tell us more about your path to finding an agent and what books you have in the works? 

Bianca: I’m so proud to be represented by Ladderbird. I’ve been writing young adult contemporary fiction novels since college. Around big life events like marriage and children, I queried on-and-off for nearly twelve years before writing a story that centers around the lives and mental health struggles of Black and brown people; in particular, it’s a love story between two high school seniors, one Hispanic and one Black. I decided to, for the first time, query Black and brown literary agents. I found Ladderbird, read its bold, front-and-center mission statement on their website that says, “We have a passion for bringing marginalized voices to the forefront,” and I felt like I and my work would be supported and seen in a way that we hadn’t before. I reached out to Leah Pierre, and she loved my story as much as I do. It was very “right moment, right time,” but built upon years of writing, scrapping, writing again, and quite a few dozen rejection letters. Currently, we’re querying my YA mental health romance and a YA rom-com, and I’m also editing a YA paranormal novel with a touch of romance and a whole lot of spooky. We’re crossing all of our fingers that an editor will bite! 

WOW: Kudos to you for sticking with it! I know writing and querying for so many years is not for the faint of heart. It sounds like you found the perfect champion for your stories and I can't wait to see how your journey progresses. I noticed you work in a library (and I work part-time at an independent bookstore!) so I’m curious what genres you are seeing grow in popularity with your patrons. 

Bianca: I’ve worked in public libraries for 13 years, and I’ve seen so many genre trends come and go. Having one foot in the publishing world helps me see the trends before they even hit the library sometimes! Currently, the focus is less on genre and more on author and author read-alikes; aside from romantasy, which is still a major player in our circulation numbers, authors like Freida McFadden, Colleen Hoover, Kristin Hannah, and Taylor Jenkins-Reid always fly off the shelves. Any author who writes a lot of edgy intrigue is going to be a must-borrow. A touch of historical fiction usually makes a book even more coveted. And with books older and newer being turned into films left and right, I see renewed interest in stories that were popular ten or twenty years ago. Sometimes I get to see a classic, such as Wuthering Heights, start circulating more, and that’s really exciting! 

WOW: And don't you love recommending books to people looking for their next great read? I concur with all you said above. What is the last book you read and what was it about? 

Bianca: I read a cozy little book called Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa. Takako, the 25-year-old main character, is broken up with in a painful and embarrassing way, and she gets locked in a mundane cycle of depression in her city apartment. She moves to the outskirts of Tokyo, into the tiny apartment above a bookshop owned by her eccentric uncle. Previously a non-reader, she becomes engrossed in the second-hand books as she organizes them and begins selling them alongside her uncle. Over the course of the few months she spends living above the Morisaki Bookshop, she learns about herself, love, and gains a new perspective on the importance of consistent, healthy relationships. Lately, I’ve been reading sweet, human-centered stories from Japanese and Korean authors, both as a way to gain insight into another culture and to read something different from my usual rotation of spooky, spicy, and non-fiction.

WOW: Those stories are very popular, and now I have to put Days at the Morisaki Bookshop on my list! I have also been wanting to check out Jesse Q. Sutanto, who's been writing in a variety of genres. Bianca, thank you again for being here today and please keep us posted on your publication news!

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Interview with Rose Brown: Fall 2025 Flash Fiction First Place Winner

Rose is an ICU nurse who was raised in Hawaii and now lives in Georgia with her husband, toddler, and cat. She took up writing in 2025 and has been published in Elegant Literature, was a 2025 ACFW Crown Award finalist, and is shortlisted for a current Uncharted magazine flash contest. She is working on her debut novel, a Southern folk horror–drama.

--interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on winning first place in our Fall 2025 Flash Fiction competition! What inspired you to write your story, “Sack of Bones?” It’s a powerful piece, and I loved everything about your writing style.

Rose: Thank you so much! I'm honored (and shocked) that I won. I actually wrote it last year during my lunch break at work. I'm not sure why this specific family member came to mind while I ate some crappy hospital cafeteria Salisbury steak, but he did. He died years ago, and his funeral, the eulogy, everything felt like it was for a stranger. The only ones I found myself grieving for (and confused by) were his still-living victims, who seemed genuinely lost and torn up over his death when I thought they'd finally feel free.

I'm much older now (was nineteen then) and understand how incredibly complicated abuse is, and how victims can be left with many mixed emotions. Basically, parts of the story (like the setting, since I grew up in Hawaii) were changed, but it was inspired by a very real moment of struggling to grieve someone who had caused a lot of pain in my family.

WOW: In your bio, you say that you “took up writing in 2025.” You’re already having success with publications and awards. Did you have an interest in writing and make any attempts at it previously?

Rose:  My twenties were busy with college, nursing, getting married and moving across the country (my husband is in the Air Force). Long hours at the hospital exhausted me so much that I didn't have energy to pursue much outside of that, especially something that can be as difficult as writing.

But things changed after having my daughter. I worked much less to stay home with her, and finally had time to breathe. One day I came across a Reedsy ad for a writing contest, tried it out, and soon started winning. I had no idea how much writing short stories could help me de-stress (and help pay for groceries!).

WOW: What advice would you give to someone wanting to try writing flash fiction for the first time?

Rose:  One of my goals for this year has been to read much more, specifically flash fic and short stories. Spending more time reading than writing has actually strengthened my writing way more than I expected! I wish I prioritized it much sooner!

WOW: You’re also currently working on your first novel. Can you tell us anything about it, and what your novel writing journey has been like so far?

Rose:  Last year I completed my first try at a novel, a thriller, then trashed it. I hated it! My writing style and preferences have changed so much in just a year, and I had to start over. So since late last year I've been working on a southern mystery. The south, especially Appalachia, has fascinated me since moving here, so my story incorporates a lot of Appalachian folk-lore and spiritual themes. I'm only on chapter seven, and have a lot going on this year (a baby due this summer, deployed husband, and possibly moving to Japan), but I'm hoping through all of the craziness I can still work on it!

WOW: My, you have a lot going on, and we wish the best for you and your family with all of these things!  Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Rose. Before you go, can you share a favorite writing tip or piece of advice?

Rose:  It's funny how the stories I think are my best and most polished don't place. The ones I almost don't submit to contests because they feel so raw and unedited almost always do well. So, don't write to sound good, or like someone else, or to win. Just write a story you can't not write, one that speaks deeply to you.

***

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Interview with Jewels - WOW! Q1 Creative Nonfiction Essay Runner Up

Jewels, a runner up in the Q1 2026 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest for Headbanger's Mask, joins us today with some thoughts on memoir. As a writer and artist based in the Pacific Northwest, has been trying to speak her truth since before she had the language for it. Her work explores identity, masking, and the long, uneven process of becoming audible—to herself first, and then to others. Her writing is informed by a parallel practice in systems, culture, and narrative analysis. 

You can read more of her work on Substack at https://www.jewelsfromcoal.com/ where she shares reflections, writing, and creative work.

WOW:  “Headbanger’s Mask” was a powerful essay. What message do you hope will remain with your readers?

Jewels: What I hope readers carry with them is the idea that the masks we wear often begin as protection. For many of us—especially those navigating race, identity, or belonging in environments that weren’t built for us—masking can be a survival strategy. But over time, those masks can also become prisons if we never take them off.

Writing the essay helped me understand that the version of myself I created to survive wasn’t fake—it was adaptive. The real work now is learning how to keep the strength that mask gave me while still allowing my true self to breathe.

WOW: Do you think all people recognize that they wear a mask?

Jewels: I don’t think everyone does, at least not right away. Many of the masks we wear are learned so early that they feel like personality instead of performance. For people who exist at the intersection of multiple identities—race, gender, class, sexuality, neurodivergence—the awareness often comes earlier because we’re constantly adjusting ourselves to different environments. But even then, recognizing the mask and understanding why it exists are two different things. Sometimes writing is the first place where that realization happens.

WOW: Has writing been an important way to learn about yourself?

Jewels: Writing has been part of my life since I was young, though I didn’t always understand its importance at the time. It started as journaling, then poetry, then essays. Over the years it became the place where I could ask the questions I didn’t always feel safe asking out loud. Writing helped me make sense of the spaces between identity, family history, culture, and belonging. Looking back now, I realize writing wasn’t just expression—it was also a form of listening to myself.

WOW: Do you have a preferred type of writing or genre?

Jewels: I’m most drawn to creative nonfiction and memoir because they allow me to explore lived experience while still using the tools of storytelling. That said, I also write fiction and speculative work. Sometimes the truths we’re trying to explore become clearer when they’re placed inside a story. I enjoy moving between those spaces because each genre reveals something different about how we understand ourselves and the world around us.

WOW: Can you tell us a little about the progress of your memoir?

Jewels: The memoir I’m working on explores identity, belonging, and the long process of learning to love oneself after years of navigating systems that encourage masking and survival over authenticity. Right now the project exists as a series of interconnected essays and narrative moments. Pieces like “Headbanger’s Mask” are part of that larger exploration. The process has been both challenging and rewarding because it asks me to revisit moments in my life with honesty and compassion. It’s a slow process, but it’s one that feels deeply meaningful.

WOW: What’s up next for you?

Jewels: Right now I’m continuing to build out my memoir through interconnected essays that explore identity, belonging, and the long process of becoming. I’m also actively submitting my work and expanding my presence as a writer. 

In addition to my own writing, I’ve begun offering sensitivity reading and editorial support, particularly for stories that engage with race, identity, and lived experience. That work feels like a natural extension of my writing—helping other storytellers bring honesty and nuance to the page.

I’m also exploring ways to bring storytelling into community spaces through workshops and conversations. At this point, my focus is on creating work that is both personally meaningful and in dialogue with a larger audience.

WOW: Good luck with achieving the balance between writing yourself and writing for others. We look forward to updates on your memoir.

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