2003 Erotic Postcard Fiction Contest Winners

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Desdmona.com is delighted to announce the winners of Desdmona’s 2003 Erotic Postcard Fiction Contest.

You would think there would be very few writers out there who could put together a complete erotic story in only 300 words. Plot? Characters? Hot Sex? Surely no one could lever in all those critical story elements into so few words. Especially the hot sex.

But if you thought this way, you would be wrong. We received more than 250 stories from 175 different authors, and the quality of the entries amazed us. Not only is there a lot of erotic flash out there, there is a lot of good erotic flash out there.

Writing good erotic flash is a remarkable feat. Dostoyevsky wrote thousands of pages and never once dampened my panties. Tulsa Brown and Rhonda K. Baughman did it in just one page. Adrian Hunter and Nick Scipio used only a few words to transport me into exotic worlds of forbidden sex. Martha Garvey and Jordan Shelbourne efficiently explored two different ways of doing it doggy style. PleaseCain gave us a mystery with clues in every line. Chris Bridges and Renee made me laugh in 300 words or less.

In 300 words or less? Amazing!

And if you think writing a 300-word story is difficult, you should have seen the many excellent stories we received weighing in at only 100 words. While one of these stories picked up an honorable mention, most of them could not compete with the richness of their 300-word opponents. But we were intrigued by these ultra-flash stories, and we are seriously considering a “Postage Stamp” contest in our near future.

Were there common themes in the stories we received? Sure. We saw plenty of cheating spouses, romantic interludes, and bondage scenarios. We received miles and miles of plain hot fucking. We saw enough cock and pussy to make your mouth water. We saw characters riddled with lust and overwhelmed by guilt. We saw stories of seduction, serial killers, and alien water sports. And we got a lot of jokes.

But we also missed seeing a few types of stories. Apparently, our contest advertising didn’t reach some genre-specific communiites. The submissions were dominated by stories of hetero couples. We hope to cast a wider net with our next contest.

Picking ten winners among so many wonderful entries made for some difficult decision-making by our judges. But after careful consideration, each judge came up with their list of winners. The tallied votes gave us our top three and seven honorable mentions. These ten stories are excellent examples of erotic flash fiction. Below you’ll find the winning stories and a few words from one of the judges about each one. Thanks to all who participated. Never before have I read more than 250 stories and enjoyed it more.

– Desdmona


First Prize: Postal, by Adrian Hunter

The author shows a precise understanding of the Flash Fiction discipline. It’s wry, it’s dry, it’s tight, it’s funny, and it has bite and cutting edge. It tells a whole other story at the same time. Finally, it pins its punch line on a pun – usually a recipe for disaster. But here it works beautifully. Brave. Bravo. Flawless Flash.

Second Prize: Finding the Fetish, by Chris Bridges

All-dialogue is risky in Flash. The author is passing up precious words to paint backgrounds and characters. But here it works. We miss nothing. We know it all. Well, finally, we do. The story sounds like a transcript from a tape – real, and funny. Terrific work.

Third Prize: Riding Twenty, by Tulsa Brown

This flash stuck with me after many others had gone the Way of All Flash. I could see the images: the low-riding waistband of the trousers, the fan of money left “accidentally” on the table. And it was the sweetly cynical detail that made this flash. Saying yes, we are not as young as we used to be. We get it where we can. This one did not snap, it settled in to stay.

Honorable Mentions

The Siren, by PleaseCain

Nothing is ever as it seems on the surface. Including this story. It offers layer upon layer of clues to an often-asked question – what’s it like to be in the mind of someone else? It isn’t until we peel away these layers that we understand just how brilliantly this story is written. Tread carefully, the gray matter lying about can get pretty sticky.

Ikebana, by Nick Scipio

“Ikebana” is exquisite erotica. In true postcard form we’re immersed in a full and passionate story of arranged marriage, gentlest intrigue, and sublime ecstasy. Through beguilingly simple style and tones tender and precise, the narrator conveys herself and her circumstance most intimately and almost but not quite innocently. At the climax we see and appreciate and perhaps even experience an instant of bliss as intense as that of the promised coupling to come. So compelling and beautiful and beautifully told is this story of love and its anticipation that without hesitation I rate it best of the contest.

The Next Best Thing, by Chris Bridges

With alluring economy “The Next Best Thing” presents a stunning moment of sexual discovery and secret arousal. Such a simple story; so many erotic layers: if we reflect for a moment we see it’s not just the character in the story who comes to an understanding.

Satisfaction Not Guaranteed, by Renee

Orgasm is sometimes called le petit mort – the little death. “Satisfaction Not Guaranteed” explores some of the ramifications of this theme on levels serious and hilarious. Aptly toned stream of consciousness mixed with acute sexual action provides a solid base and prevents the tale from falling flat. The punchline has an impact so explosive and outstanding that I rate this story second in the contest overall. I hope it is good for you, too.

The Intensity of Tuesday, by Rhonda K. Baughman

This was the flash that rose most in my estimation as I read it over and over. The first time I read it, I thought perhaps it was over-ambitious and a little confused. The last time I read it, I thought it sexy and (well) intense, conveying the moment with precision. This may also describe the progress of the flash’s narrator ... A marvelous, hot little piece, containing everything from smeared lipstick to inner monologue to self-justification.

Dogs Chase Cars, by Jordan Shelbourne

This swift, solid flash told so much about its central character as she told about the others. She is resentful, yes, and bitter, and grasping, but she is also inexperienced. (Her second lover?) She thinks in cliches. (Stallion-rampant?) She believes, truly believes, that this quick fuck will solve her problems — and then the flash does a neat, shining little twist, and it all comes crashing in. Susan gets a little more experience. Who is easily manipulated, again?

The Dog Walker, by Martha Garvey

This flash had the property really good flashes do, of feeling longer than it was. It had a Dangerous Man, an extended metaphor, and a sparkling sense of humor. It also turned the near-impossible flash trick of sizzle. This one was hot. A pleasure to read.


When you’re done here, take a peek at the winners of our other contests.

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