Time to find out…

Themes often eerily emerge in Flash Monster contests, and this 13th installment is no exception. While there were some supernatural and otherworldly elements at play in the Top 10 as well, this go-round featured many real-world monsters. Whether twisted religion or mad science, lone wolves or invasive society, brutal conditions or technology run amok, the horrors of Flash Monster the 13th most often stem from one of the most fearsome creatures on the planet: the human being.

Except when they don’t. 

This year’s crop was a little lighter on gore and heavier on atmospheres of dread. Even after all these years, you still find new ways to make our skin scrawl.

Smoke ’em if you got ’em. 

Close-but-no-cigar shortlist shout-outs go to:

Kelsey Austin
Edward Barnfield
Andrea DeAngelis
Joseph Gorodnitskiy
Wiebo Grobler (2)
Henry Heffer (2)
Emily Macdonald
Hannah Marin
Elliott Owl (3)
Aeryn Rudel
Sarah Senft
Aza Smith
John Spudich (2)
Damon Sweeney
Abigail Williams
Maura Yzmore

The Top 10 that you’ll find below will be published
in our forthcoming Flash Monster mega-issue.

10th: “Black Infinity” by Stuart Ziarnik

9th: “Meat” by Carey Evans

8th: “The Act of Giving Thanks” by Margret Wiggins

7th: “Darlin’ Streets” by Wiebo Grobler

6th: “God the Killer” by Donna L. Greenwood

5th: “Bunker” by Jo Withers

4th: “The Man” by Kelley Criss

And now for the three stories that really grabbed us…

3rd Prize ($100)

“Their World”
by Dan Scamell

2nd Prize ($250)

“SS Moss on the Garden Planet”
by Aza Smith

1st Prize ($400)

“Parental Rites”
by Nicki Blake

Congrats to the winners and a huge thanks to everyone who participated in our Flash Monster the 13th contest! We couldn’t do it without you. 

Check back in a matter of hours for the Flash Monster mega-issue, which drops on Halloween.