2026 best in rural writing anthology cover

First 2 para of my essay, "Eyes Wide Open"

Honored and still a bit stunned that my narrative nonfiction essay was selected for this anthology
#BestInRuralWriting
themilkhouse.org

It's abt life and death on the farm 🐑🐏 and beyond, written a few weeks after my mom passed 💔

Haraway, multispecies, and more lurking just beneath the surface

Photo of a computer keyboard, a ballpoint pen, and a copy of the 2026 Best in Rural Writing, including Don Stewart's essay "Rebounders" about city dwellers returning to the country

I made the cut! (Not a bad way to start the new year.)
#MilkHouse #BestInRuralWriting #Anthology #Rebounders
www.themilkhouse.org/anthology @themilkhouse.bsky.social

2025 Rural Writing Contest Best Essay: 'God, Guns, and Baseball' | The Daily Yonder Editor’s note: The third annual “Best in Rural Writing Contest” was presented by the rural literary journal The Milk House with promotional support from

We're grateful to @dailyyonder.bsky.social for publishing the finalists of the #BestinRuralWriting Contest. Vote for overall winner on #TheMilkHouse's contest page.

Read the nomination for Best Essay, "God, Guns, and Baseball" by Lena (Sunada-Matsumura) Newlin.

dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...

2025 Rural Writing Contest Best Short Story: 'The Escapee’s Lover' | The Daily Yonder Editor’s note: The third annual “Best in Rural Writing Contest” was presented by the rural literary journal The Milk House with promotional support from

Thanks to @dailyyonder.bsky.social for publishing the finalists of the #BestinRuralWriting Contest. Vote for overall winner on The Milk House's contest page.

Read the judge's choice for Best Short Story, "The Escapee's Lover" by Dennis McFadden:

dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...

Announcement!

We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.

Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!

2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest: Shortlist – The Milk House The 2025 Best in Rural Writing Shortlist includes five essays and five short stories by writers from around the world.

The shortlists for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is live!

Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!

And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.

www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...

Announcement:

Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.

Stop by for the results!

Reading more submissions this evening for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction

The 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is now closed. Thanks for another incredible turnout of submissions.

Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.

Agata and the Mice by Peyton Ellas – The Milk House A woman looks for a new start in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest.

This week on #TheMilkHouse:

A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.

Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...

Submissions Sought for 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest | Agriland It is always particularly exciting to see writing from farmers and those from rural environments...

A big thanks to @agriland.bsky.social for featuring a story on the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting contest, co-sponsored with @dailyyonder.bsky.social!

Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.

www.agriland.ie/farming-news...

Best in Rural Writing Contest Shows the Value of Rural Stories The 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest is accepting submissions until Sept. 15, 2025, offering an important platform for rural writers.

Thanks to @dailyyonder for sharing a piece on why the #BestinRuralWriting Contest matters and what's at stake when stories about rural life aren't told.

Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.

dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...

The Milk House is excited to announce the 3rd annual #BestinRuralWriting Contest, judged by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.

Fiction and nonfiction.

Deadline: Sept 15th, 2025.

Prize pool: $700.

Finalists published in the 2026 Best in Rural Writing print anthology.

To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest

Haying seasons by Bill Conlogue – The Milk House Read the essay "Haying Seasons" by Bill Conlogue, shortlisted for the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest by judge Dr. Chea Parton.

On #TheMilkHouse: Bill Conlogue considers his father's life through the fieldwork he did, in his essay "Haying Seasons," shortlisted for the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting contest.

Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/haying-seaso...

The Birth by Pearl Benjamin – The Milk House In "The Birth" by Pearl Benjamin, two characters realize that they have more than the life of a calf at stake.

This week on #TheMilkHouse:

In "The Birth" by Pearl Benjamin, two characters realize that they have more than the life of a calf at stake.

"The Birth" was a shortlisted story in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.

Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-birth-by...

Milking Cows and Throwing Curves by Randy Hisner – The Milk House Randy Hisner explores the intersection of baseball and farming in his essay "Throwing Curves and Milking Cows."

This week on #TheMilkHouse:

Randy Hisner looks back on his father, who credits milking cows for helping him play major league baseball.

Read "Milking Cows and Throwing Curves," shortlisted for the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.

www.themilkhouse.org/milking-cows...

The announcement for Best Essay and Best Short Story, selected by Dr. Chea Parton, is now live on #TheMilkHouse.

Listen to the authors read their submissions, and then vote for your choice for overall winner of the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.

themilkhouse.org/contest/