Let’s see how things stand…

Body-invading creepy crawlies have wriggled their way to the top this year, with invasive spiders, snakes, parasites, and pathogens making a strong showing. But there was still room this time around for bitey humans, rogue tech, and things that go bump in the night or lurk under the bed.

Plenty of gore this year, but you left room for abstractions in your abominations as well. We’re on year 13 of  these monster-themed contests, and you still find new ways to make our skin scrawl.

Without further ado…

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

Colin Alcock
Colin Alexander
Edward Barnfield
Kiana Cauwels
Cherokee Collier
Justin Eells (2)
Philip Webb Gregg
N.V. Morris
Eoin Nordman
Michael Ranfone (3)
Carolyn Russell
Sarah Senft
Aza Smith
Leslie Soule
John Spudich
Christopher Stanley
Pete Ward
Alpheus Williams
Stuart Ziarnik

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

10th: “Clone” by Jo Withers

9th: “Rust” by Michael Ranfone

8th: “Eye Maggot” by Andrea DeAngelis

7th: “Hole in the Pocket” by Liz Fyne 

6th: “I, Monster” by John Spudich

5th: “Viper Tooth” by Lindy Biller

4th: “Son of Seanfhocail” by Joseph Gilbride

And now for the three stories that really lured us in…

3rd Prize ($100)

“Toxoplasma Odocoileus”
by Colin Alexander

2nd Prize ($200)

“In Darkness”
by Eoin Nordman

1st Prize ($300)

“We Were Never Afraid
of the Spider”
by Timothy Fox

Congrats to the winners and a huge thanks to everyone who participated in our Flash Monster 2025 contest! We couldn’t do it without you. 

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