Archive · 14 Aug 2025
Shastri Akella Wins Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize
Imagine a writing contest where people submit their best short stories.
This year, the winner is Shastri Akella, who wrote a story called "The Border Ghosts."
He's going to get a prize of money and a chance to stay at a special place for writers.
The people who chose the winner were also famous writers.
The goal is to help new writers get noticed and give them prizes.
There were also runners up who got some money, too.
Shastri Akella, an Indian-origin writer, won the 2025 Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize.
Akella's winning short story was titled "The Border Ghosts."
He will receive a €2000 cash prize and a week's residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation.
Runners-up Swithun Cooper and Alisha Dietzman will each receive €1000.
The judges for the prize included writers Henry Hoke, Mariana Enríquez, and Ottessa Moshfegh.
- Who
- Shastri Akella won the prize; judges included Henry Hoke, Mariana Enríquez, and Ottessa Moshfegh.
- What
- Shastri Akella won the 2025 Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize for his story "The Border Ghosts."
- When
- The 2025 Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize was awarded.
- Where
- The prize includes a residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation.
- Why
- The aim of the prize is to celebrate new short fiction and give winners visibility.
- Winner
- Shastri Akella
- Winning Story
- "The Border Ghosts"
- Prize Amount
- €2000
- Residency
- Civitella Ranieri Foundation
- Runners-up
- Swithun Cooper and Alisha Dietzman
- Judges
- Henry Hoke, Mariana Enríquez, Ottessa Moshfegh