The people behind the Best American Short-Stories nominations.
Read more about real stories and inspirations. Here’s who we nominated, and congratulations to all nominees — good luck!
Wyley Fröhlich Jungerman, United States, Should You Trust a Fish
Wyley Fröhlich Jungerman (he/him) is a queer writer and college student pursuing a BA in Creative Writing at Texas State University. Born and raised in the Austin area, Jungerman draws inspiration from the vibrant culture of his city, his personal journey, and the connections that shape his life. His work often grapples with identity, vulnerability, and the complexities of human relationships.
“To me, writing in the pursuit of social justice is like pulling water from an old well; everyone before me drew from it, and everyone after me will draw from it, too. We cannot stop telling the same story—the human story—over and over again.”
Read his piece in The Evolving Gaze Literary Magazine today.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Julio Puente García, Mexico / United States / Italy, These Dark Summer Days
Julio Puente García was born in Mexico and migrated to the U.S. when he was nineteen years old. Julio’s debut short story collection, Acrobacias Angelinas, was recognized as “Best Latino Focus Fiction” at the International Latino Book Awards in 2021. Julioholds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Literatures from UCLA. He currently lives in Florence, Italy.
“Writing is personal because it is based on your own experiences and capacities, but writing can also reflect a collective experience or feeling. My short story These Dark Summer Days is a combination of personal and collective experience about the life, work, and hopes of farmworkers in California.”
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Jon Negroni, Puerto-Rico / United States, Men Who Are Strong
Based out of San Francisco (US), Jon Negroni is a Puerto Rican creative writer for Apple and cofounder of the online publication, InBetweenDrafts. He’s previously published two books, which include The Pixar Theory (nonfiction) and Killerjoy (adult fantasy), both through indie presses. When he’s not writing fiction or dissecting films, you can find him hunting for the best pastelitos in the Bay Area.
“My writing journey has taught me that creativity is how I metabolize the world, especially the parts that hurt the most. When I weave social-justice themes into my stories, it’s less an agenda and more an instinct to make sense out of the senseless and trouble some boundaries in the process.”
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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