Jon Olseth, Riverland Community College English instructor, was chosen over 250 other national contestants as the 2009 Flash Fiction Contest Winner for his short story, “Frostbite.” The story is published in the 2009 spring edition of the “Blue Earth Review.”

“Blue Earth Review” is the literary magazine of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The magazine seeks sparkling examples of contemporary poetry, prose, photography, and artwork. “Blue Earth Review” acquires first North American serial rights for any published work. After the original publication, rights revert to the author.

Contest Judge Thomas Maltman chose Olseth’s story for first place stating: “The vivid imagery in this piece seared my consciousness, so I went on seeing it after I set it down. I love how the writer invokes a moment in time, even if that moment has a casual brutality true to rural life. The ending allows the story to lift and touch on universals.”

Olseth has been a full time instructor at Riverland since 1999 and teaches English, creative writing and the humanities.

Copies of the “Blue Earth Review” are available at Barnes and Noble or can be ordered online at www.english2.mnsu.edu/ber/subscribe.html.