Independent Arts News Reporting Storytellers Wanted: Search Begins for the Best Short Fiction Tale
Reported on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Pictured Above: Dennis Tafoya, author of “Dope Thief” which has been adapted as an Apple TV series, will be the final judge of Bucks County Community College’s short fiction contest. The competition is open to Bucks County residents over age 18, with an entry deadline of October 8. The top three winners will have the opportunity to read alongside Tafoya at a November reception on the College’s Newtown Campus. Photo Credit: Contributed
NEWSROOM POST: NEWTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Bucks County Community College’s fall contest will be judged by “Dope Thief” author Dennis Tafoya; Enter by noon October 8
Newtown, PA — Bucks County Community College is searching for the best short fiction tale in the county, College officials announced, with the winning scribes getting the opportunity to read alongside a well-known author.
Dennis Tafoya, author of “Dope Thief” and other crime novels, will be the final judge, said Elizabeth Luciano, the language and literature professor who is the director of the contest.
“The first-, second-, and third-place winners will be honored at a reading in November on the Newtown Campus, and will be joined by Mr. Tafoya,” Luciano said. “We are thrilled to have a bestselling novelist as our final judge and guest.”
Tafoya, who lives in Bucks County, is the author of three crime novels set in and around his native Philadelphia. “Dope Thief,” originally published in 2009, was republished in 2025 in conjunction with its release as an Emmy-nominated series on Apple TV. Tafoya is also the author of the novels “The Wolves of Fairmount Park” and “The Poor Boy’s Game.” His short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Philadelphia Noir and “Best American Mystery Stories.”
Luciano noted that the contest is open to Bucks County residents over the age of 18 who have not previously placed first. Bucks County Community College employees are not eligible. The top three winners will receive honoraria of $200, $100, and $50.
The deadline for submissions is noon Thursday October 8. Stories must be previously unpublished, including in blogs and online platforms, and must be submitted online. Use of artificial intelligence in any form is strictly prohibited. Complete contest rules and the link for submissions are at bucks.edu/shortfictioncontest. A short fiction contest for high-school students will be held in the spring.
The Bucks County Short Fiction Contest receives funding and administrative support from the School of Language and Literature at Bucks County Community College. For further information, contact Professor Elizabeth Luciano at Elizabeth.Luciano@bucks.edu.
About Bucks County Community College
Founded in 1964, Bucks County Community College is a two-year, public institution offering more than 90 programs of study that lead to either an associate degree or certificate, as well as many workforce training programs on campus, on site, or online. Successful graduates directly launch a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree, depending on the major. Classes are offered on campus in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and worldwide through Bucks Online. To learn more, visit bucks.edu.
