Justin Heckert is a writer living in Indianapolis. His work has recently been anthologized in the book Next Wave: America’s New Generation of Great Literary Journalists.
Most Beautiful Story: “Never Let Go,” Kelley Benham, Tampa Bay Times
Best Essay: Lisa Taddeo, “Why We Cheat,” Esquire
Most Entertaining Profile: Jason Fagone, “Schoolly D is Living the American Dream,” Philadelphia magazine
Best Story from an Online-Only Publisher: “The Ghost,” by Paige Williams, Byliner single
Best Sports Story: “Did This Man Really Cut Michael Jordan?” by Thomas Lake, Sports Illustrated
Best Celebrity Reveal: “What Katie Didn’t Know,” by Maureen Orth, Vanity Fair
Best Political Story: “The Lethal Presidency of Barack Obama,” by Tom Junod, Esquire
Best Old Collection of Stories I Dusted Off and Read Again: “The Coast of Good Intentions,” by Michael Byers
Best Gift Someone Gave Me That Involved Reading (that other people should check out): “Alive and Dead in Indiana,” by Michael Martone
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