The Fall into Fiction Short Story Contest has officially come to a close, and we are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding high school writers whose stories rose to the top. We were truly inspired by the creativity, heart, and talent shown across all submissions.

After careful review by judges from Storyshares and ReadWorks, we are excited to announce the winners of each division:

Contest Winners

• 9th–10th Grade Division: Goodbye George by Kate Haug
• 11th–12th Grade Division: The Watch by Evan DiGiorgio

Each division winner will receive a $250 cash prize and have their story published on ReadWorks.org, reaching thousands of classrooms nationwide. Select entries will also be adapted into fluency passages for Storyshares' LIFT Intervention Program, giving readers around the world the chance to strengthen their skills through your words.

Congratulations to both winners! Each will receive a $250 cash prize, and we are proud to share that their winning stories will be published on ReadWorks.org on January 22, 2026, reaching thousands of classrooms nationwide.

Thank you to every student who submitted their work and shared their voice with us. Your storytelling helps spark curiosity, strengthen literacy, and bring meaningful reading experiences to life. We are so grateful to have you as part of this community— and we can’t wait to share these winning stories with educators and students everywhere!