Editor’s note
It’s spring here in southeastern Pennsylvania, home of the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. The crocuses have already come and gone, but the grass blades have pushed up from last year’s yard debris, turning the lawn area a lovely shade of green.
Here at the Roundtable, we wish you a happy spring as we usher in our latest issue, featuring several writers from the Bethlehem Writers Group. First, though, I’d like to note for readers who are writers that our short story contest deadline has been extended to APRIL 30th. If you’ve been planning to submit, now is the time to get your story in! (The theme is speculative fiction, and our esteemed judge is award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky.)
Now, back to this issue. Peter J Barbour entertains us with “Dad Stories,” in which a father shares with his sons wild tales from his youth. Marianne H. Donley’s humorous touch is featured twice in this issue. In her first story, “The Shopping Gene,” the main character reveals that she hates to shop—but excels at competitive parking. “The Case of the Missing Elizabeth Boyle Novels” dives into a collection of romance novels and why they may be disappearing.
Carol L. Wright’s tale of “Distant Cousins” takes us on a road trip to retrieve a unique inheritance. And in “The Silence,” by yours truly, someone who believes she is very alone finds a friend.
In Literary Learnings, Carol L. Wright discusses the golden age of detective fiction. And this issue’s interview, conducted by BWG member Diane Sismour, is with me.
Enjoy your spring reading as the tulips bloom! And consider submitting a spec fiction story for our contest!
2025 BWR Short Story Award winners!
We’re happy to announce the winners, chosen by our terrific guest judge, Adrian Tchaikovsky. We express our thanks to all who entered and permitted us to read their excellent and interesting work.
1st Place: “Smiling Fish” by Avery Other of Lincoln, NE
2nd Place: “Missing Ingredients” by Natalie Bucsko of Cumming, GA
3rd Place: “A Fine Line in the Sand” by Mizuki Yamagen of Louisville, CO
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order by author’s last name):
“Delivering a New Perspective” by Mounir Derdak of Mississauga ON
“The Singer from Akrotiri” by Larry Ivkovich of Coraopolis, PA
“Peaches” by Avery Othe of Lincoln, NE
“The Fish Man of Mahoney Creek” by Jess Simms of Pittsburgh, PA
Don’t forget, we’ll run another contest, starting on January 1, for the 2026 Short Story Award.
For information on the 2025 competition, click here. You can also read an interview with our 2025 guest judge, Mr. Adrian Tchaikovsky here.
Featured story
“Dad Stories” by Peter J Barbour
As the Jeep made its way up Route 402 just above Marshall’s Creek on the way to our grandparents’ home in the Pocono Mountains, we’d pass Resica Falls, the Boy Scout reservation. You could predict Dad would point this out to us as we passed. He always did.
Also in this issue
“The Shopping Gene” by Marianne H. Donley
“Distant Cousins” by Carol L. Wright
“The Case of the Missing Elizabeth Boyle Novels” by Marianne H. Donley
“The Silence” by Dianna Sinovic
Interview with author and book coach Dianna Sinovic
Literary Learnings by Carol L. Wright
Betty’s Tips and Mixed-Up Words