Fremont Cultural Arts Council Names Moon Writing Contest Winners

More than 150 community members cast 581 individual votes at Half Price Books in the Fremont Hub to select the winners of the Fremont Cultural Arts Council’s “Living on the Moon” flash fiction contest, according to Tri-City Voice.

Co-sponsored by the Fremont Cultural Arts Council (FCAC), Fremont Creates, Half Price Books, Infinity Care LLC, Fremont Area Writers, and Nothing Bundt Cakes, the event displayed 300-word stories across the pillars of the Fremont Hub bookstore, inviting visitors to cast ballots with up to five votes each.

Top Five Popular Vote Winners and Third-Grade Special Prize

Contest organizer and FCAC board member Al Minard reported that voters awarded first place to “Gravity” by Vibha Vyas, followed by “Earthlight” by Archana Rao in second place, “Living On The Moon” by Elaine Rogers in third place, “Moon Dango” by Jeff Uchida in fourth place, and “Moontalks” by Jacqlyn Freitas in fifth place.

Organizers also presented a special prize to third-grader Mrinmayee Haricharan for her story “The Mooncake Bakery,” recognizing her enthusiasm for creative writing.

President Emeriti Award Selection

Judges Margaret Thornberry and Julie Gilson selected “Meeting the man in the Moon” by Patricia Doyne for the President Emeriti Award, which included a Nothing Bundt Cakes Trio prize. Thornberry noted that Doyne’s story developed sequentially within the 300-word limit and left “a pleasant mental aftertaste,” while Gilson praised its blend of pathos and science fiction.