Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Baen Books is pleased to announce Hridoy Kundu as the grand prize winner of the 2026 Baen Fantasy Adventure Award for short fiction. Kundu’s story “The Road That Wouldn’t Stay Drawn” was selected by Baen editorial staff. Second place was awarded to Rith Clara for the story “Means, Motive, Magic.” The third-place winner was Caleb Baker for his story “A Damsel in My Dungeon.” Also, honorable mention goes to “Pride of Places” by Cara Giles.

Started in 2014, this is the eleventh annual Baen Fantasy Adventure Award. The award will be presented by Baen publisher Toni Weisskopf at DragonCon, which takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, from September 3 through September 7, 2026. Baen Books presents this award to honor stories exemplifying the spirit of adventure, imagination, and great storytelling in a work of short fiction with a fantastic setting, whether epic fantasy, heroic fantasy, sword and sorcery, or contemporary fantasy. With over four hundred entries from dozens of countries, the Baen Fantasy Adventure Award contest brings entrants from all walks of life.

“I am truly honored that The Road That Wouldn’t Stay Drawn was selected as the Grand Prize winner,” said winning author Hridoy Kundu. He is currently an undergraduate student studying neuroscience at the University of North Carolina.

Read the press release at baen.com/pr-2026-fantasy-award-winner

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