Published by Texas Authors Press, the anthology is scheduled for release on October 1, 2026. The collection brings together stories spanning humor, family drama, historical fiction, suspense, dystopian science fiction, caregiving, crime, travel, and speculative fiction. The first edition carries ISBN 9798295457708.
This year's Grand Prize Winner is L. A. Starks for "Contingent on Death," a crime story centered on a private investigator who becomes entangled in a dangerous situation involving money, manipulation, betrayal, and murder.
The 2026 winning stories and authors are:
"Milton's Meltdown" — Ernie Lee & Debbie Henson Easton
"The Writer and the Air Conditioning Vent" — Tom Brownscombe
"The Babu Journal" — Roxanne Gail Hodge
"Then and There: The Surreal Appointment on the Road Betwixt and Between" — DuAnne Redus
"Check In Time is 3:00 p.m." — C.C. Hawk
"Splatter" — Mark D. Williams
"Bastille Day" — Patricia Taylor Wells
"Contingent on Death" — L. A. Starks, Grand Prize Winner
"Beach Day" — Paolo Chávez Cueto
"After" — X. K. Tangley
"Freshie" — Tom Brownscombe
"The Emotional Well" — Roxanne Gail Hodge
"Small Town Rainbow" — Neon Quill & B Alan Bourgeois
"The Silence Between Stars" — Derek Correll
Now in its eleventh year, the Texas Authors Museum's Annual Short Story Contest provides writers with an opportunity to have original work reviewed, recognized, and published. The winning stories become part of the Museum's ongoing effort to document and preserve contemporary literary voices connected to Texas.
This year's anthology will also be connected to the Museum's Literary Collectibles™ program. Collectible cards are being created for the anthology, participating authors, and individual stories, with each collectible assigned a permanent Registry number and produced in a limited quantity.
The Texas Authors Museum works to preserve and promote the literary history of Texas through publishing, exhibits, educational programs, author recognition, and community outreach. Proceeds from the anthology directly support the Museum and its literary-preservation work.
11th Annual Short Stories by Texas Authors, Volume 11
Release Date: October 1, 2026
Publisher: Texas Authors Press
ISBN: 9798295457708
For more information, visit TexasAuthors.net.
