Some emotions resist easy translation, and for our April 2026 Flash 405 contest, guest judge Ashley C. Lanuza invited writers to explore one of them: “saudade”. We received an incredible collection of stories inspired by this theme, each offering a unique perspective on longing, memory, and connection. After careful consideration, we are delighted to announce this round’s winners.
Congratulations to our 1st and 2nd place winners, who received a cash prize, along with our honorable mentions. We’re thrilled to share these unforgettable pieces with you below:
Judge’s Comments:
“A few years ago, I packed up my belongings for three months to travel around Europe, wanting to return to the wanderlust of new places and the sweet solitude of solo travel. It was on that trip that I learned about the Portuguese term “saudade” while browsing bracelets at a jewelry store. When the seller explained it as their word for this profound, bittersweet nostalgia, I felt understood. This feeling tapped at my very soul. It defined this bittersweet heartache I have held for as long as I can remember—a feeling the English dictionary failed to fully capture.
I feel it again, this saudade. And it’s not for the aching desire to hop on a plane (although no complaints if it were), but in memoriam of what life was before the pandemic, before my late-20’s, before the curveballs and growing pains. In tandem, I am yearning for the future I am building for my loved ones and for myself. If change is our only constant, perhaps saudade is our constant companion, wanting for all that we were and all that we will ever be.
Saudade, admittedly, is difficult to capture in words. I’m grateful for these submissions attempting to encapsulate it—they were beautiful, melancholic, profound, and, at times, hilarious. Thank you for creating and submitting, it was truly a pleasure to read them all.”
– Ashley Lanuza
Congratulations again to our winners!
1st Place:
The Ghost to My Left by Leanne Babcock (Nonfiction)
2nd Place:
Saudade on the Rua da Sé by Mark Crimmins (Nonfiction)
Honorable Mention:
Don’t say hello by Sarah Masters (Fiction)
Want to read more? Check out our past Flash 405 contests and winners. Our next (and final!) contest of 2026 will open August 4, guest judged by Charles Jensen!
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Photo by Aliaksei Lepik