Maya is a 20-year-old with a graveyard shift at the post office, a ma whose temper rises even faster than the rent, and all of the million daily headaches of life as a young woman of color in New York in 2011. Her one saving grace is her local arcade, home of New York's feisty, burgeoning fighting game tournament scene. But that respite is taken away from her after she gets banned for standing up to a trash-talker who goes too far. To get back into the arcade and fight for her independence and respect, Maya will partner with a team of up-and-coming players and learn to defeat not just her opponents, but also her own worst instincts. Beneath Maya's quest for FGC glory shines a deeper story about how all of us are made by history—and how we can make history in our turn. The connections between Maya, the women who raised her, and the generations who come after her, examine how our moment in time determines—often unjustly—the risks we take for the rewards we desire for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Bodied is a unique coming-of-age story with sneaky literary chops, a modern mashup between The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and A League of Their Own.

Praise for Bodied

“When I read Bodied, I feel transported to all the tournaments I have ever been to. If you have ever been to a fighting game tournament, experienced online fighting games, or are inherently curious about esports, this is the novel for you. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to travel the globe playing fighting games. And in an instant, Eli has sent me back to all those memories. This book reminds me of everything and everyone I love about the Fighting Game Community. I hope you like it as much as I do.”

-Tania “Killr” Miller, high-level Super Street Fighter II: Turbo player and tournament organizer

"Had the good pleasure of reading an early edition of this novel and was absolutely blown away by how well the competitive FGC spirit was captured. An absolute must-read for everyone!"

-Sheila "dapurplesharpie" Moore, competitive Skullgirls player, community organizer, and content creator

“An enjoyable read! The characters are relatable, the plot moves fast, and it feels like an on-point YA take on the FGC.”

-“Super” Joe Munday, head moderator of r/StreetFighter and author of Gief’s Gym: a Guide to Street Fighter V

Tatsunoko vs Corona 10

Participants

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Third Place