Pinsker was one of five finalists for the award, which celebrates the best in literary speculative fiction. The judges noted her short story, “Where Oaken Hearts Do Gather” — published in Uncanny Magazine — for showcasing a distinct storytelling style.

“The committee was unanimous in its enthusiasm for both the content and presentation of the story, noting that Pinsker’s choice to present the terrifying tale of two historians’ search for the truth behind a strange folk tale in the form of an online chat was a risk that paid off handsomely,” said Yaszek.

Pinsker received a commemorative pin, a plaque, and a $1,000 prize.

Georgia Tech’s relationship with Eugie Foster started in 2011 when Yaszek hosted a day-long science fiction symposium through the School of Literature, Media, and Communication and invited Foster as guest of honor.

After the author’s passing in 2014, her husband, Matthew Foster, established the award and invited Yaszek to serve as a judge. Since then, Georgia Tech has remained heavily involved, including Matthew inviting Pseudopod editor and Georgia Tech alumnus Alex Hoeflich to serve as a permanent member of the expert jury. In 2017, Matthew Foster gave his wife’s  books, papers, and awards to Georgia Tech.

This past summer, School of Modern Languages Assistant Professor Amanda Weiss, an expert in Japanese speculative fiction and editor of the Georgia Tech student-and-faculty-run Hivemind, a global speculative fiction journal, was invited to join as the fourth permanent expert panel member.