Valentine's Fiction Issue (Washington Post Magazine)

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5 PHOTOGRAPHS, 5 STORIES: An affair revealed. A marriage rocked by change. A couple torn apart by loss. We sent photographs to some of our favorite writers, and the charge was simple: Write a love story in response to the image.

Haunted Castles of the Barrier Islands

BY TONY EARLEY

Their trip to the coast proved to be a washout.

The Bridge

BY ELLEN GILCHRIST

He dove for her. She fell for him.

10,000 Steps

BY ANN HOOD

She didn't know where she was going, but she knew how she was getting there.

Jumpin' at the Woodside

BY BREENA CLARKE

A dancing queen remembers her one true partner.

Sonora Pass

BY SAM ESQUITH

CONTEST WINNER: His father had a new girlfriend. But any line can be crossed.

2009 Fiction Contest: Find out how to enter this year's Valentine's Fiction Contest.

Our 2008 Valentine's Fiction Contest drew hundreds of short stories. | Complete List of Finalists

Winner:
Sam Esquith, "Sonora Pass"

2nd Place:
Sita Bhaskar, "A Matter Between Us"

3rd Place:
K. P. Robbins, "UFOs Are Welcome"

Editor's Note
Tom Shroder, editor of The Washington Post Magazine, offers a look behind this issue.

2008 Valentine's Fiction Issue: Featuring stories from Julia Alvarez, Stuart Dybek, Walter Kirn and Julie Orringer.

2007 Valentine's Fiction Issue: Featuring stories from Melissa Bank, Ron Carlson, Stephen McCauley, Jill McCorkle and ZZ Packer.

Current Magazine Contents

PHOTOS: Left side, from top: Stephen Shore/Gallery Stock; Tom Craig/Gallery Stock; Satoru Mikami/Getty Images; Mark Peterson/Redux; Claudia Kunin/Corbis. Right side, from top: Christine Cody/Photonica/Getty Images; Claudia Kunin/Corbis.

WEB EDITOR: Amanda McGrath