“It isn’t stealing if no one cares about it anymore,” says the protagonist of “Quarantine,”Jeanne Kramer-Smyth’s winning entry in SAA’s 2018 Archives Short Fiction Contest.
Sponsored by the Publications Board, the contest garnered 30 entries, all of which had to feature an archives, an archivist, or archival materials. The jury unanimously chose Kramer-Smyth’s submission as the winning entry, based on its gripping story, excellent writing, and prominent discussion of preserving and retrieving electronic records. Set in the future during a global epidemic, an archivist, researcher, and donor work together to find vital information that may put an end to the disease. The jury noted that “this story, accessible to archivists and non-archivists alike, points to the vital importance of ensuring long-term access to born-digital information.”
In addition, the jury awarded honorable mentions to three other stories: “Risk Versus Benefit” by Nancy Freeman, “Ester Jones Diaz” by Rebekah McFarland, and “יצחק דזשאַעקק, אַ חשבו (Yitzchak Jaeck, An Account)” by Michelle Sayers.
Congratulations to Jeanne, Nancy, Rebekah, and Michelle, and thank you to everyone who participated!
Publishing in the Archives Profession 