On Monday May 22, [p2p type="slug" value="thomas-israel-hopkins"] a Quick Fiction contributor, represented the magazine at Literary Death Match III at the Back Room in New York City, organized by our friends at Opium Magazine and Sweet Fancy Moses. In Round One (judged on writing quality, performance, and “intangibles”), Thomas competed against Andy Horwitz (Nerve.com) and was victorious. He read:

his own story, “Lost Childhood,” which appeared in issue 8;

“All About Lulu,” by Jonathan Evision (issue 9);

“A Herd of Wild Donut Holes,” by Greg Bachar (issue 5); and

“Ben Kingsley Will Do What We Cannot Do,” by Brian McMullen (issue 3)

(in that order).

In Round Two, he competed against Sean Casey (McSweeney’s) and unfortunately lost in a world-geography lightning round. We hate geography! In any case, we feel Thomas was robbed. We’re saving up to get him his own genuine tiara. And that’s that.

Here's Thomas reading at LITERARY DEATH MATCH III in NYC.

Thomas saw red as the grand prize slipped hopelessly from his grasp.