Introduction
To celebrate the first year of the Minds Shine Bright writing competition Confidence twenty gifts of recognition were awarded to some of the most innovative and imaginative fiction entered. These stories and poems all stood out in some way. They may have excelled in one judging criteria, addressed the theme in an innovative way or demonstrated strong potential. Gifts included certificates of recognition, tote bags, t-shirts or aprons.
Cindy Ng Balloon, flash fiction, (Narre Warren, VIC, Aust)
Ann Huang, Ruby Rain, flash fiction, (Newport Beach, California, US )
Bonnie Miller, Missing Memory, short story, (Tarneit, VIC, Aust)
Kaleb Huaraz, Breaking free, short story, (Rio Hato, Panama)
Alejandro del Castillo, Seeds, short story, (Carlton, VIC, Aust)
Sumanth Janjanam, Ouch, flash fiction, (Pleasanton, California, US)
Georgie Waters, Masterpiece of a life, flash fiction, (Pasadena, South Australia, Aust)
Kaylee Jesnoewski, The Rabbit’s Fate, short story, (Quinn Rock, WA, Aust)
Nicholas Antoniak, A Whole Lot of Love, flash fiction, (Mittagong, NSW, Aust)
Alexander Elliot, Metalhead, flash fiction, (Bilgola Plateau, NSW, Aust)
Esther Li, The Hunter, poetry, (East Killara, NSW, Aust)
Pete Mitchell, While Carly Slept, flash fiction, (Hillary’s, WA, Aust)
Rohini Alexandra, Light Box Fantasy, flash fiction, (Melbourne, VIC, Aust)
Chelsea Luo, An afternoon call, flash fiction, (Moorabbin, VIC, Aust)
Simon Dunne, The Window, short story, (Glenorchy, TAS, Aust)
Ayelet Gura, Dreams, poetry, (Ringwood North, VIC, Aust)
Zeana Cole, In the absence of courage, flash fiction, (Cranbourne North, VIC, Aust)
Ruth Foote, kNOTs, flash fiction, (North Rocks, Sydney, NSW, Aust)
Amy Elise Cogbill, untitled, poem, (South Carolina, US)
Mischa Reid, My Peaceful Place, flash fiction, (Brisbane, QLD, Aust)
Avishi Gurnani, Life Breathes Behind Masks, short story, (Singapore)