Zambian writer Theresa Sylvester has won the 2024 Fractured Lit Micro Fiction Prize for her story, “Our Father.”
The piece was selected by American short story writer, novelist and judge Deb Olin Unferth, who praised Sylvester’s ability to capture emotions and character depth in just a few words.
The Fractured Lit Micro Prize, a highly regarded international award, celebrates excellence in flash and microfiction. Each year, writers from around the world submit their brief but impactful stories, competing for publication and recognition in the ever-expanding world of short-form literature.
Describing Theresa’s winning story, “Our Father”, Deb Olin Unferth says:
“This is an astonishing story, revealing so much about the father in a few words, the complexity of his relationships with his children and the women who bore them. We come to realize this father was mostly absent, and they are mourning for something that was always only half there, and yet we love him as they loved him. We love his style, his smile, his flashy car. He is so singular, his personality leaps off the page. And ending with a lullaby from another world is masterful, heart-breaking, lyrical, brave. This is the work of an accomplished writer.”
Other winners include Laura Sciortino for “Secret to Marriage” and Janet Fancher for “I Come from Aliens.” Additional stories by Francine Witte and Linda Shapiro were also selected for publication, alongside shortlisted entries by writers such as Christine H. Chen, Dominic Scicchitano, and Mizuki Yamamoto.
Congratulations, Theresa Sylvester!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
