Ho ho ho-ly mackerel, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Gridlock as far as the eye can see. The smell of burning money in the air. There’s a negativity scene at every grocery store. A baby in a manager. Yuletide insults being slung by a guy dressed like he just left the gym.

In all seriousness, isn’t it ironic (and isn’t it sad) how “the most wonderful time of the year” has a tendency to feel like anything but that? Sure, for many of us Christmas is the one day out of the year we get to spend with our extended families, but the buildup to Christmas has become such a panic that by the time it comes around we’re glad it’s over. This makes me think of something I heard Douglas Rushkoff say on a podcast recently:

“The future is hype. The past is spin. The only reality is the present.” Or something to that effect.

Caught up in centripetal forces and hurling toward a target future, it’s easy to lose sight of the present moment, to take it for granted or to wish it away. Talk about not being careful what you wish for. Newsflash: this moment will not last.

The Dead Herring Prize is awarded annually to a staggering work that slays real-world red herrings in our day-to-day lives. If it pokes holes in preconceived notions, bursts bubbles, offers insight, or makes light where, otherwise, darkness might prevail, we want it to—and we want it! All accepted stories, poems, prose, comics, notes, doodles, whispers, and whimsy published by Skipjack Review during the calendar year are considered. We’ve been making a list and have now checked it twice. Without further ado, here’s this year’s winner of The Dead Herring Prize:

“The Spirit of Life in Your Nostrils” by Gaby Zabar

Gaby will receive $100 big ones! Well, $100 little ones, I guess, but, hey, $100 is $100! That’s $100 right out of our own shallow pockets—albeit less than we wish we could award such fearless art.

Thank you, Gaby. And thank you everyone who submitted work this year!

Happy Holidays,

Ope