Three winning entries in the Quantum Shorts 2019 flash fiction competition were announced June 10, chosen from 647 submissions — quantum short stories that are no longer than 1000 words and contained the phrase “things used to be so simple.”

Quantum Shorts is an annual competition for creative works inspired by quantum physics. It is run by the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) in Singapore with media partners Scientific American and Nature, and leading quantum research centres around the world as scientific partners. First prize comes with a $1500 cash award.

The winners are available to read at the links.

FIRST PRIZE

• “Fine Print” by C R Long 

RUNNER-UP

• “The Collapse” by Meg Sipos

PEOPLE’S CHOICE PRIZE

• “Shinichi’s Tricycle” by Ariadne Blayde

The top three stories “explore the many worlds idea from quantum physics, in which every event is understood to have all possible outcomes, each happening in its own branch of the universe.” For example, “Shinichi’s Tricycle” hinges on the development of the atomic bomb.

The top two prize-winners were decided by a jury of eight expert scientists and writers reviewed ten stories earlier shortlisted from 647 submissions to the competition. A public vote decided the third prize. Each winning author gets a cash award and an engraved trophy, on top of their shortlist award and one-year digital subscription to Scientific American.