An online celebration of the inaugural Cai Emmons Short Fiction Contest winners with live readings, remarks from our judge, and the first look at the anthology
Some stories stop you cold. Some make you laugh out loud on a Tuesday afternoon. Some stay with you for weeks, surfacing at odd moments like a phrase you can’t shake.
The seven stories in the inaugural Cai Emmons Short Fiction Anthology are those kinds of stories.
From 95 submissions by Oregon and Washington writers, our judge—author and University of Oregon writing professor Miriam Gershow—selected a Grand Prize winner and six category award recipients whose work embodies what Cai Emmons stood for: bold, emotionally honest, daring fiction that takes real risks.
Now the anthology is done. The stories are collected. And we want to celebrate with you.
Join us on Tuesday, April 21, from 7-8:30 pm for an evening of live readings, reflections from Miriam Gershow on what she found in these stories, and the first public look at the finished anthology.
What you’ll experience:
This isn’t just a launch event—it’s a gathering for people who care deeply about fiction and the writers who make it. Here’s what you can expect:
- A front-row seat to extraordinary fiction—hear winning stories read aloud by their creators
- Inside perspective from a celebrated judge—Miriam Gershow shares what she was looking for and what surprised her
- The first look at the anthology—see the finished collection and its cover for the first time
- Inspiration for your own writing—witnessing what bold, risk-taking fiction looks like is one of the best things a writer can do
- Connection with a community of readers and writers who take fiction seriously and show up for each other
- A way to honor Cai Emmons—her spirit lives in every story in this collection, and in every person who shows up to celebrate it
This event is for you if:
- You loved Cai Emmons’ work and want to celebrate her legacy
- You’re a fiction writer who finds inspiration in hearing strong work read aloud
- You submitted to the contest and want to cheer on your fellow writers
- You’re a reader who believes short fiction is one of literature’s most vital forms
- You’re part of the Wordcrafters community and want to show up for an evening that matters
- You want to hear what a distinguished judge looks for in award-winning fiction
- You’re curious about the anthology and want to be the first to see it
- You simply believe that Oregon and Washington writers deserve to be celebrated — loudly, joyfully, and often
The writers we’re celebrating
Grand Prize Winner: Scott Colley, “The Bechtel Protocol,” Oakland, OR
Aftermath of Loss Award: Justine Norton-Kertson, “The Last Apple Tree,” Lowell, OR
Female Protagonist Award: Elizabeth Danek, “A White Cat,” Milwaukie, OR
Magical Realism Award: Angela Ostley, “The Memory Eater,” Vancouver, WA
Family Dynamics Award: Erin Radniecki, “Fragile” Corvallis, OR
Aftermath of Loss Hon. Mention: Laura Grange, “Gas Station Witch,” Seattle, WA
Magical Realism Hon. Mention: Jill Betterton, “Bonfire of the Insanities,” Eugene, OR
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
7:00–8:30 pm Pacific Online
In the Wordcrafters Zoom room
FREE
Your instructor
Jeaux Bartlett (they/them or xe/xem) is a writer and teacher living in Eugene, Oregon. Jeaux has published several books and online courses focused on personal growth, and their work has appeared in the Register Guard, Lane Monthly, Rochester insider, and Nature’s Wisdom, among other publications.
Jeaux is a certified Grief Recovery Method specialist, a National Spiritualist Teacher, and a Reiki Master Teacher. Jeaux enjoys writing about overcoming loss and adversity, and learning to trust yourself again.
Jeaux is currently working on Unintentional Community, their third autofiction novel. They’re a genre-bending writer whose work explores nature, healing, and the body, and they believe, deeply, in the power of story to transform and connect.
When they are not writing, Jeaux enjoys playing with natural dyes, knitting, and building a writing camp in the woods.
Other Classes You May Enjoy:
Get your writing time in at the Wordcrafters studio at our regular write-ins. FREE for Wordcrafters members and open to the public.
Tuesdays 9:30 am-noon
Sundays 6:30-9 pm
Nap-a-thon: a fundraiser for people who are tired. Which, statistically, is everyone.
Oct 1-31.
Join us for an atmospheric, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short story—ghostly, strange, quiet, or otherwise—in the company of other writers.us for a spooky, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short ghost story in the company of other writers.
October 15 -18, 2026
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Wednesdays 3-4:30 pm | In person or online | Next cohort starts Nov 4, facilitated by Daryll Lynne Evans | Age 16+
A quarterly journaling workshop that takes you deeper into your thoughts and feelings through grounding, prompts, and a community that holds space for whatever shows up on the page.
Sundays, Nov 8, Feb 14, May 2, 3-5 pm | In-person and online | Age 16+
Share your words in sweet community at our monthly open mic emceed by spoken word poet Jorah LaFleur.
Second Thursdays, September through June | Age 14+ | Next open mic: Nov 12