Announcing the Winners of the University of Iowa 100-Word Microstory Contest
Thank you to the 232 UI alumni and friends who submitted microstories during July’s contest.
We asked participants to create a fictional story of 100 words or less based on one of two photographs celebrating the Iowa Memorial Union Centennial.
Prompt A
Prompt B
Our judges worked diligently the past few weeks to read submissions that poured in from 36 U.S. states and as far away as Australia, China, and India.
Without further ado, here are the winning microstories. The winners of the four grade-school categories will each receive a Hawkeye writer’s pack and a $25 bookshop.org gift card. The winners of the two adult categories will each receive a handcrafted wooden pen carved from the branch of a tree that is located on the University of Iowa campus and a $50 bookshop.org gift card.
2025 UI 100-Word Microstory Contest, Winning Stories and Honorable Mentions
Grades 3 & 4: "The Winner" by Juno L., Iowa, Prompt A
Grades 5 & 6: "I Wish" by Emily D., Iowa, Prompt B
Grades 7 & 8: "The Last Sip" by Grace H., Wisconsin, Prompt B
Grades 9–12: "A Booth for Two" by Kylie R., Iowa, Prompt B
Adult, University of Iowa Alumni: “Discoveries” by Jamie Hansen (09BA), Illinois, Prompt B
Adult, Friend of the University: “Champion” by Joe Yockey, Iowa, Prompt A
Thank you to all who participated! Please join us for the next Write Now contest: Hawkeye Haiku, Nov. 3—14, 2025. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy reading these stories from your fellow Hawkeyes as much as we did!
The cornerstone of campus life
Visit the Iowa Memorial Union Centennial Celebration webpage to learn about special events as well as the IMU’s storied history and its enduring legacy to campus life since it opened in 1925. This campus hub continues to develop leaders, create connections, and build community.
Still Have the Writing Bug?
Keep your creative juices flowing by exploring these University of Iowa literary resources.
More Information
For questions, email write.now@foriowa.org.