The World Still Needs Human Authors

Democracy Dies in Darkness

As of May 31, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. EDT, the necessity for human authors to continue generating imaginative ideas remains crucial.

Here are a few facts about myself: I am a woman of considerable height, standing at 6 feet 2 inches in my bare feet. My laughter is notably loud and, some might say, piercing. Additionally, I do not feel the need to apologize to inanimate objects like furniture.

These traits are why I resonate deeply with Auntie Marsha, the protagonist of “The Serpent in the Grove.” This story is one of the five regional winners of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize.