Contest Results

– Grand Prize Winners – Literary Dependable Things by Robin Curley Robin Curley graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Master’s in the Teaching of English, and taught literature and creative writing in Massachusetts before having children. She was also Editor of Queen’s Head and Artichoke, Tufts University’s literary magazine. The isolation of the pandemic forced many of us to grapple with the person we are when there’s no one to perform for; this novel was born out of the subjectivity we all bring to our own narratives. Mystery / Thriller The Woman in the Waves by Camille Booker Camille Booker writes historical fiction, drawing inspiration from the achievements of real-life women whose courage, intelligence and determination made a difference during their time. Her stories explore themes of motherhood, equality and discrimination. Her debut novel, part bittersweet love story, spy adventure, and crime mystery set in Australia during WWII, has been…

– Winner – Not Her Daughter by Rea Frey Rea Frey is the author of several nonfiction books and four domestic suspense novels (with several more on the way). She is also the founder and CEO of Writeway, where first-time authors become published. In the last two years alone, Writeway has secured 100 first-time authors with agents and book deals. She is also the co-host of The Real Story podcast, which demystifies the publishing industry and helps empower authors along the way. To learn more, please visit reafrey.com or writewayco.com. – Runner-Up – The Fantastic Family Whipple by Matthew Ward Matthew Ward is the author of the middle-grade novels The Fantastic Family Whipple and War of the World Records (both from Penguin Random House), as well as the upcoming picture book, Unflappable (HarperCollins, Fall 2023). His books have been selected for the Lincoln City Fellowship and the “Buzz Panel” at BookExpo America. For…

– Grand Prize Winners – Literary All Manner of Beasts by Rowena Leong Singer Rowena Leong Singer is a graduate of the Bennington Writing Seminars, where she was awarded the Barry Hannah Merit Scholarship in Fiction. Her work has been published in the New York Times, Narrative Magazine, and KQED’s Perspectives. She has also received an honorable mention in the Glimmer Train Short Story Award for New Writers. In addition, she has been accepted into select workshops and conferences including the Sewanee Writers’ Conference; Tin House Summer Workshop; Hedgebrook Master Class; Community of Writers; ZYZZYVA Writers’ Workshop; and Rooted & Written, a workshop for writers of color, co-sponsored by the Writers Grotto. Her debut novel, All Manner of Beasts, is a historical fiction set in Japanese-occupied Philippines during WWII. Ten hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese troops invade Manila, where a young Chinese couple, Grace and Deming, await the…

– Winner – Under Color of Law by Aaron Philip Clark Aaron Philip Clark is a novelist and screenwriter from Los Angeles. In addition to his writing career, he has worked in the film industry and in law enforcement. Under Color of Law (Thomas & Mercer) is his fourth novel. For more information, visit www.aaronphilipclark.com. – Runners-Up – Brown Skin Girl: An Indian-American Woman’s Magical Journey from Broken to Beautiful by Mytrae Melanie Mytrae Meliana (pronounced “My-thray-yee”) is a women’s empowerment and spiritual teacher, holistic psychotherapist, speaker, and author. She leads workshops empowering women to heal from trauma, find their voice, power, and passion, and connect with the Divine Feminine so they live true, empowered, and inspired lives. Connect with her at www.mytrae.com. Formerly Fingerman by Joe Nelms Joe is the author of the novels Formerly Fingerman and The Last Time I Died (both Simon & Schuster). Additionally, he wrote…

– Grand Prize Winners – Literary Vermilion by Vimi Bajaj Vimi Bajaj is a writer and physician based in Chicago. A graduate of The Bennington Writing Seminars, she writes about the various ways that misogyny and patriarchal mindsets are embedded within the Indian culture. Her work has been published in The Writer’s Chronicle, The Asian American Literary Review, The Doctor T.J. Eckleburg Review, Panorama, the Journal of Intelligent Travel, and The Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology 2016. In addition, her short story, Nadine, is forthcoming as an Audible Original. Her novel, Vermilion is a work of international literary fiction and takes place in modern day India, at a time when violence against women has reached critical mass. Ranging from the newsrooms of the New India to the ‘whiskey parties’ of the Delhi elite and the tea-stall conversations of the urban poor, Vermilion is an exploration of an India where even the poor have cell phones and internet access, where village rituals coincide with cable…

– Winner – This is How I Save My Life: From California to India, a True Story of Finding Everything When You are Willing to Try Anything by Amy B. Scher Amy B. Scher is an award-winning and bestselling author. She’s been featured in Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, CNN, CBS, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Rumpus and more. Scher was also named one of Advocate’s “40 Under 40.” Amy’s books have been translated into thirteen languages and endorsed by notable authors such as Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love); Vikas Swarup (Slumdog Millionaire); and Sanjiv Chopra, MD, MACP, Harvard Medical School and (Brotherhood with Deepak Chopra). With a background in both publishing and marketing, Amy has been recognized for her unique ability to bridge the gap between the craft of writing and the business of being an author. She is proud to serve on the associate board for Literacy Partners…

– Grand Prize Winner – Memphis by Tara Stringfellow Former attorney, Northwestern University MFA graduate, and Pushcart Prize nominee Tara Stringfellow’s debut novel Memphis is a multi-generational novel based on the author’s rich Civil Rights history. Tracing the effects of violence on the family after the family patriarch, the first black homicide detective in Memphis, is lynched by the members of his own squad, the novel is a celebration of the bonds of family and the strength of matriarchy. Dial Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, acquired the book at auction by Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts at HG Literary, with UK rights to John Murray Press. The novel is scheduled for a Spring 2021 release. Third World Press published her first collection of poetry entitled More than Dancing in 2008. Nominated for two Pushcart Prizes, her poems have appeared, or are forthcoming, in Collective Unrest, Best Emerging Poets of Illinois, Best of the…

– Grand Prize Winner – WNEW: An American Radio Tragedy by Dan McCue Dan McCue is the Content Editor of The Well News. McCue has over two decades of experience in covering government, politics, business, the environment and law. He began his career in media as an editorial staff assistant at the New Yorker magazine. Since then his work has been published in a number of publications including the Stuart News, Renewable Energy Magazine, the Charleston Regional Business Journal, Newsday, the Riverdale Press, Hartford Courant, World Trade Magazine, and Courthouse News Service, among others. He also hosted his own public affair’s cable television program, “Insight Nassau,” was a regular panelist on News 12 Long Island’s “Reporter’s Roundable” program and made frequent guest appearances on WGBB radio on Long Island, speaking on government, politics and business.   – Finalists – Delivered by Midwives by Jenny M. Luke Although a British-trained nurse-midwife, Jenny M….

– Grand Prize Winner: Paula Pedene and Doug Williams– A Sacred Duty PAULA L. PEDENE, APR, Fellow PRSA holds the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) highest honors including the PR Pro of the Year Award, the Western District Platinum Service Award and three Silver Anvil Awards for Institutional Programs, Reputation Management, and Community Outreach. Paula Pedene was one of the first Whistleblowers at the Phoenix VA. In 2010, she collaborated with Dr. Sam Foote in exposing funds mismanagement and a hostile work environment. Their allegations were sustained by the Office of the Inspector General. When new leaders arrived, they were suspicious of her and she became mired in conflict. They removed her from her role as a VA Public Affairs Officer, a role where she had performed admirably for 23 years and banished her to the basement library where she checked books in and out, put the daily papers…

– Grand Prize Winner: M Dressler – The Last to See Me M Dressler is the nom de plume of novelist, essayist, and professor Mylene Dressler. Following a successful career as a professional ballet dancer, she earned her PhD at Rice University, where she wrote and finished her first novel, The Medusa Tree, about a young dancer struggling against war and the myths of beauty and power entangling her family. Praised for this debut work as “a natural born storyteller” (Library Journal), she followed it with her “splendid” (The New York Times) second novel, The Deadwood Beetle, the story of an aging entomologist haunted by his harrowing, war-time past. Her stories often explore characters battling their ghosts, including her comic third novel, The Floodmakers (“a hilariously poisonous, devilish little tale”—Booklist), about a playwright who must decide whether to live or die among his obsessive family. In her most recent book,…