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2012 Winners

2012 Writers-Editors Network Annual International Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)
Download a printable PDF file for 2012 winners (right click to save to desktop; click to open in new window)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Kimberlee Esselstrom, Groveland, Fla. – "The Sister Dance" – Literary – Excellent lead. Story flows very well. Each character is recognizable by traits and dialogue that express their emotions very well. Good plotting and pacing. Reader can easily become the mother looking down on her daughters. Logical ending.

2nd  PLACE - John J. White, Merritt Island, Fla. – "Beneath the Wintry Sky" – Literary – Excellent beginning. Very good storyline. Good mix of expressive narrative and dialogue to keep the story moving. Good characterization and conflict. Terrific ending.

3rd  PLACE - Linda Newman, San Mateo, Cal. – "The Visit" – Good storyline. Lots of dialogue, but the tone is logical and keeps the story moving very well. Good characterization.

1st  HM - Robert M. Temple, Homosassa, Fla. – "The Wolf-Gray War Bonnet" – Western – Excellent lead. Verbiage beautifully descriptive. Just enough dialogue for good plotting. Great ending.

2nd HM - Mary Kay McAllister, Juno Beach, Fla. – "Second Chances" – Literary – Reader can easily picture the characters by well-placed and evocative description. I would have deleted the last sentence and left the ending at "I hoped it was that time."

3rd HM - Margaret Truly, Hoover, Ala. – "The Parachute Dress"– Literary – Very good dialogue and narrative. Emotion is expressed clearly. Excellent storyline.

4th HM - Sylvia Forbes, Fayette, Mo. – "Revenge by Retriever" – Good lead, characterization and pacing. Reader can easily root for Penny and Sadie.

5th HM - Melanie Peterson, Jackson Heights, NY – "Scary Dream"

6th HM - Alicia Stankay, Ambridge, Penn. – "Rest in Peace"

7th HM - Margaret Truly, Hoover, Ala. – "Money Talks" – Mystery

8th HM - Suzann Owings, Albuquerque, NM – "The Debt" – Fantasy

9th HM - Geraldine Bass, Olathe, Kan. – "That Rundown Old House" – Mystery

10th HM - Ann King, Palisade, Col. – "Split-Second Decision"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - T. D. Hart, Bixby, Okla. – "Circles," Chapter One – Strong beginning; good flow and structure. Dialogue sings and is realistic and articulate, making characters seem "real." Very good use of engrossing words – tight, yet descriptive. Three conflicts are set up in first chapter – good for the reader. Can lead to a very good polished page-turner.

2nd PLACE - Gretchen Craig, Denton, Tex. – "Theena's Landing," Chapter One – Good lead and characters. Narrative flows well; very good use of descriptive words (without overdoing). Can sense conflict building.

3rd PLACE - Susan Nickerson, Wesley Chapel, Fla. – "Amazing Grace," Chapter One – Excellent, vivid lead. Expressive dialogue and strong characterization. Narrative flows eloquently. Good plotting.

1st HM - Kate Ruland-Thorne, Grand Junction, Col. – "Courage on the Nile," Part I, Chapter One – This novel has good potential. Characters live on the page. Narrative and dialogue puts the reader inside the story. Emotions expressed clearly. Each page easily/reasonably leads to another – good pacing.

2nd HM - Maris Soule, South Haven, Mich. – "Pandora's Box," Chapter One – Good lead and flow. Dialogue good, realistic and appropriate. Reader can relate to Mary Harrington. Conflict good, comprehensible and surprising. Sets the stage for a potentially riveting novel.

3rd HM - Gale Martin, Lititz, Penn. – "The Shaker Proposal," Chapter 1 – Novel has potential. Good beginning and characterization. Narrative could use some thoughtful editing.

4th HM - Gale Martin, Lititz, Penn. – "Ms. Manon in Hankey, PA," Chapter 1 – Storyline good. Novel has potential with the help of smooth editing.

5th HM - Robert Samuel Cromartie III, MD, Ormond Beach, Fla. – "An Innocent Lie," Chapter 1

6th HM - Laura Reese, Mobile, Ala. – "Center of Gravity," Chapter 1

7th HM - Debbie Allen, Tallahassee, Fla., "The Swinging Door," Chapter Three

8th HM - Barbara A. Andrews, Richmond, Tex. – "The Backwoods Princess," Chapter 1

9th HM - Laura Reese, Mobile, Ala. – "Stay Tuned," Chapter 1

10th HM - (tie) Irene Kueh, Lincoln, Ill. – "The Enchanted Voices," Chapter One

10th HM - (tie) Ann King, Palisade, Col. – "Time Stream," Chapter Eleven

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Heather Hamel, Elkton, Fla. – "Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang," Chapter 1, Middle Grade Book – This opening chapter immediately engages readers in a fast-paced story that stays in the viewpoint and character of a fast-paced horse.

2nd PLACE - Lisa A. Wroble, Naples, Fla. – "Thicker Than Thieves," Chapter 1: Hope – Also for middle-school readers, the plot and action of this well-written historical fiction move along well.

3rd PLACE - Dorothy Davis Lyles, Stamford, Conn. – "Cat and Dog are Best Friends" – This innovative short story for young children cleverly weaves an ABC primer into an interesting and credible plot.

1st HM - Barbara Baig, Edmunds Township, Maine – "The Ice House" – Tightly written verses and an effective refrain present how-to information in this rhythmic, rhyming poem!

2nd HM - Carol Bennett, West Warwick, RI – "Sadie: A Revolutionary War Story," book chapter – Active verbs, an interesting era, and skillful use of dialogue move along this historical fiction.

3rd HM - A. Gwynn Henderson, Lexington, Ken. – "Hunting for Sounds" – This nonfiction article encourages outdoor activities and helps middle-grade readers to notice and identify bird calls.

4th HM - Jan Evans, Toccoa, Ga. – "Dandelions at Dawn" – Young children will identify with the familiar scene or learn what to expect in this rhythmic poem.

5th HM - Carol MacAllister, Boqueron, P.R. – "The Old Man and the Papaya, or Never Trust a Monkey" – The interesting setting and lively tale will appeal to young readers in this lively short story.

6th HM - Michael L. Thal, Sherman Oaks, Cal. – "Signs of Friendship" – This short story provides insight into the life of children who cannot hear but have the same needs and concerns as children who have not lost their hearing.

7th HM - Bekah Grace Schumm, Manhattan, Kan. – "Amy's New Life" – The novel chapter moves along an engaging story with an interesting setting, too.

8th HM - Susan T. Davis, Poughkeepsie, NY – "Feisty Dicey (1766-1837): A Courageous American Patriot," – This historical story article includes a bibliography that shows the author researched the era well.

9th HM - Cindy, Pontrelli, Green Cove Springs, Fla. – "Jellyfish Jam" – This lively, reader-friendly article presents middle-grade readers with interesting information about sea life.

10th HM - Carol Bennett, West Warwick, RI – "The Skaters" – From a historical novel, this chapter moves middle-grade readers through Redcoat territory.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Alessandra Bianchi, Marblehead, Mass. – "Earning Our Turns," Vermont Magazine – excellent writing; entertains while it informs; writer understands the music of language and plays it well

2nd PLACE - Kay Grant, Albuquerque, NM – "Stroke of (Evil) Genius," American Way – very well-written and organized

3rd PLACE - Kathleen Vestal Logan, Gulf Breeze, Fla. – "Climate Map: Thrive in Your Natural Growing Zone," Chapter 2: Second Blooming For Women – offers 'food for thought' without preaching; nice flow

1st HM - Marcelle Soviero, Wilton, Conn. – "Making Peace at My Ex-Husband's Seder," Salon – compelling read; no dull passages, well-told throughout

2nd HM - Marie Marley, Olathe, Kan. – "The Little Yellow One," Alzheimer's Reading Room

3rd HM - K. B. Schaller, Plantation, Fla. – "Native Code Talkers Too Much for the German Army," The Christian Post

4th HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, Mass. – "Should Caroline Wozniacki Rank No. 1 in the World?" Tennis

5th HM - Patrick Flanary, New York, NY – "Welcome to the Jungle," DRUM!

6th HM - K. B. Schaller, Plantationm Fla. – "Osama Bin Laden, Geronimo and the Native American Perspective," The Christian Post

7th HM - Marcelle Soviero, Wilton, Conn. – "Loving Lydia," Weston Magazine Group

8th HM - Barbara Baig, Edmunds Township, Maine – "The Talent Myth," The Writer

9th HM - Barbara Layman, Van Nuys, Calif. – "It Was All Started by a Mouse," Disney Dream File

10th HM - (tie) Sylvia Forbes, Fayette, Mo. – "There's No Place Like Home…in a Cave," Missouri Life

10th HM - (tie) Dr. Robert Norman, Tampa, Fla. – "A Dermatologist Treats an Anxious Patient," Discover

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE -Melanie Topp Cleveland, San Luis Obispo, Calif. –Poisoned, Chapter One: "Greenwoods's Greatest Scandal". – enticing first chapter; makes one want to read the book

2nd PLACE - Michael Moore, Rockwall, Tex. – I Am Moore, Chapter 37 – intriguing story

3rd PLACE - Kimberlee Esselstrom, Groveland, Fla. – "Fuchsia Envy," essay – good pacing

1st HM - Ira Spector, Coronado, Calif. – "Visit to a Third-World Country"

2nd HM - Ira Spector, Coronado, Calif. – ""Close Enough"

3rd HM - Charlotte Sundberg, Centerville, Mass. – My Life as a Motherless Daughter, Chapter 2

4th HM - Marie Marley, Olathe, Kan. – "Please Wear a Tux," book sub-chapter

5th HM - Irene Uttendorfsky, Port Leyden, NY – My Adirondack Summer, Chapter 1

6th HM - Jacquelyn Speir, Honolulu, HI – "Word Search," essay

7th HM - Cindy Pontrelle, Green Cove Springs, Fla. – "Transition"

8th HM - Lily Beck, Weaverville, NC – "The Grandfather"

9th HM - Kathleen Vestal Logan, Gulf Breeze, Fla. – "What Military People Wish You Knew about Their Family Life"

10th HM - (tie) Sylvia Forbes, Fayette, Mo. – "The Thrill of the Chase"

10th HM - (tie) Ann Kronwald, Chandler, Ariz. – "The Chase"

POETRY
1st PLACE - Joyce Shiver, Crystal River, Fla. – "The Sound of Lonesome" – True-to-form, this well-written sonnet immediately engages readers and maintains a mournful tone appropriate to the content.

2nd PLACE - Leslie C. Halpern, Oviedo, Fla. – "In-Laws' Moving Sale" – This free verse poem plays with light humor and fresh metaphors to represent stages of life with which most readers will identify.

3rd PLACE - Matthew Pearce, Celebration, Fla. – "Unforgiven" – Strong verbs, nouns, and emotions poetically portray a vivid scene with no words or time to spare.

1st HM - Carol Carpenter, Livonia, Mich. – "Cherry Poem" – Crisp metaphors snap underfoot in this tightly packed free verse, ready to be picked.

2nd HM - Catherine Moran, Little Rock, Ark. – "A dissertation on the classroom"

3rd HM - Betsy Humphreys, Granite Falls. NC – "In the Groove" – A jazzy form bumps up the music in this lively free verse poem.

4th HM - Alise Versella, Lanoka Harbor, NJ – "For S. L. V." – Humorous insight, lively metaphors, and a fresh view elevated this free verse poem.

5th HM - Joan Weiner, Weaverville, NC – "New Bed" – Readers can easily envision this snatch of story.

6th HM - Carol Dee Meeks, Tulsa, Okla. – "If You Listen, You Can Hear It" – This sonnet stays in tune and form in a situational poem that most readers can relate to and hear.

7th HM - Betsy Humphreys, Granite Falls, NC – "Learning Japanese at Nikka Yuko Garden" – This fresh free verse provides cultural interest and, perhaps, the outline for a poetry chapbook.

8th HM - Ruan Wright, Bolingbrook, Ill. – "What I Can't Hear" – The simplicity of this poem and its poignant ending will draw pet lovers, especially this dog lover, who, she is sad to say, identifies with the scene at this very moment.

9th HM - Geraldine Bass, Olathe, Kan. – "It's Two O' Clock in the Morning" – Every parent or caregiver will relate to this humorous poem with its appropriate, one-beat rhythm

2011 Writers-Editors Network Annual International Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Pati Anderson, Apopka, FL – "Grace's Tree" - Literary: well-written; just enough adjectives & description to take reader inside the story
2nd  PLACE - Linda Newman, San Mateo, CA – "Family Secrets" - Literary: good story, consistently carried out. Story within the story well done & not contrived. Well-written, good flow.
3rd  PLACE - Pati Anderson, Apopka, FL – "A Saucerful of Secrets" - Literary: very good word choices. Great descriptions that are original and creative without overkill. Well-done.
1st  HM - Mary E.  Nelson, Salt Lake City, UT – "Cecilio Breaks the Law" - Literary
2nd HM - D. S. Akin, Chuluota, FL – "Reflections" - Literary
3rd HM - Christine McGoron, Perry MI – "Arnie's Magic Marbles" - Children's Literature
4th HM - Patricia A. Williams, Boynton Beach, FL – "A Slippery Slope"
5th HM - Jacquelyn Speir, Haleiwa, HI – "The Neighbors"
6th HM - Sarah Paquette, Corpus Christi, TX – "Spaghetti Dinners" - Literary
7th HM - Kimberlee Esselstrom, Groveland, FL – "The Wrinkled Teabag"
8th HM - Elizabeth Orendorff, Apopka, FL – "Thy Will Be Done" - Literary
9th HM - Russell Mansum, Altamonte Springs, FL – "Saving Keys" - Literary
10th HM - Morton M. Rumberg, Gold River, CA – "The Marker" - Science Fiction/Fantasy

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Patricia Cox, Phoenix, AZ – "Chasm Creek - Chapter One" - If author of Chasm Creek does not have an agent, he/she should have one for this outstanding, well-written novel. Good luck with having it published!
2nd PLACE - Irene Uttendorfsky, Port Leyden, NY – "Taken By Mosby, Chapter One" - great potential; good story, well-written
3rd PLACE - Patricia A. Cox, Phoenix, AZ – "Redemption, Chapter One" - great potential; good story, well-written
1st HM - Patricia A. Cox, Phoenix, AZ – "Chasm Creek - Chapter Thirty-Eight"
2nd HM - John J. White, Merritt Island, FL – "Cutter - Chapter 1"
3rd HM - Susan Reeves, San Diego, CA – "Black Amethyst, Chapter One"
4th HM - Persis Granger, Warrensburg, NY – "The Writer's Retreat, Chapter 1"
5th HM - Ben Sharpton, Roswell, GA – "The Third Option, Chapter One"
6th HM - Cara S. Achterberg, New Freedom, PA – "I'm Not Her, Chapter 1"
7th HM - James Cary, Boynton Beach, FL – "The Fires of Mammon, Chapter 1"
8th HM - Robert E. Marvin, Bradenton, FL – "The Crystal Revelation, Chapter 1: Good Friday 1101 A.D."
9th HM - Patricia A. Williams, Boynton Beach, FL – "The Two Weddings of Zhao Ping, Chapter 1"
10th HM - Joyce Holland, Fort Walton Beach, FL – "Mister Immortal, First Chapter" - Science Fiction

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Jenne Acevedo, Chandler, AZ – "Silly Little Feet" - children's picture book: very age-appropriate and appealing in its simplicity
2nd PLACE - Linda Zajac, Vernon, CT – "Winter in No Man's 0Land" - nonfiction article: well-researched, well-written
3rd PLACE - Verna Safran, Sarasota, FL – "Gerbil Heaven" - story: fresh view of the real life and needs of a favorite pet for children
1st HM - Verna Safran, Sarasota, FL – "Harry Hall Plays Basketball" - poem: fun story poem kids will relate to and enjoy
2nd HM - Keladria Boyt, Tucson, AZ – "Clive, the Trash-Talking Monkey" - chapter of novel: super lively, humorous story
3rd HM - Barbara H. Shaver, Danville, VA – "It All Adds Up" - fiction: fresh story treatment of math and money
4th HM - Susan T. Davis, Poughkeepsie, NY – "Buddy: The Dog With A Job" - article: well-researched information to interest the age group
5th HM - D. Harlow Timpko, Broadlands, VA – "The Ice Cube Witch" - short story: fresh approach to an important topic for kids
6th HM - Kimberlee Esselstrom, Groveland, FL – "Picture Postcard Pastime" - nonfiction article: researched good idea
7th HM - Lisa A. Wroble, Naples, FL – "Orphan Express" - first chapter of historical fiction: well-written - story moves along
8th HM - Douglas Heil, Oshkosh, WI – "Obnoxious Obfuscation" - book chapter: unusual adventure into words and grammar
9th HM - Patti J. Kurtz, Minot, ND – "The Return Of The Mirage, Part I" - YA book chapter: different view from the race track
10th HM - Gail Hedrick, Bradenton, FL – "Something Stinks Here" - book chapter: conversational style with reader appeal

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Kay Grant, Albuquerque, NM – "Stroke of (Evil) Genius," American Way "particularly well-written - obviously a professional writer, one who has honed his/her craft very well"
2nd PLACE - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA – "Rafael Nadal: International Sports Star of the Year," Sports Illustrated
3rd PLACE - Mark Hawthorne, San Jose, CA – "Injustice for All," VegNews
1st HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA – "Agassi vs. Sampras: The Rivalry That Never Ends," Tennis Life
2nd HM - Michael Lang, Durham, NH – "Kidney Transplant: My Family's Journey," UNH Magazine
3rd HM - Daniel J. Waters, Clear Lake, IA – "Heart, Attacked," Journal of the American Medical Association
4th HM - Patrick Flanary, Tampa, FL – "Jack is Back!," Drum! Magazine
5th HM - Patrick Flanary, Tampa, FL – "Florida Prisoners are Feeling the Heat," Tampa Tribune
6th HM - Kate Ruland-Thorne, Grand Junction, CO – "She Killed Them Because She Loved Them." Sedona Magazine
7th HM - Ronda Armstrong, Des Moines, IA – "The Magic of the Mess," Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom
8th HM - Isa "Kitty" Mady, Montesano, WA – "Me and Motors," Seniors Sunset Times
9th HM - Eric Dusenbery, DeLand, FL – "Worm Grunting: Science and Folklore in the Sunshine State," Acres U.S.A.
10th HM - Mali R. Schantz-Feld, Seminole, FL – "Sleep: An Introduction," from Understanding Drugs – Sleep Drugs, Chapter 1

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
(judge's comments on first 4 places as a group: "well-written. original, creative – more than worthy of being published – copy, story flows – good word choice – reader wants to continue to end"
1ST PLACE - A. Kronwald, Chandler, AZ – "Adventures in Staying"
2nd PLACE - Katherine J. Leisering, Ph.D., Parkersburg, WV – "Peg O' My Heart"
3rd PLACE - Geraldine Guadagno, Canyon Lake, TX – "Freckles and Olives" - essay
1st HM - Regina Y. LeVerrier, Grand Junction, CO – "A Hole in My Soul" - essay
nd HM - Katherine J. Leisering, Ph.D., Parkersburg, WV – "Trust Me! I'm a Psychic!"
3rd HM - Regina Y. LeVerrier, Grand Junction, CO – "Drowning the Dynamic Duo"
4th HM - Regina Y. LeVerrier, Grand Junction, CO – "Just Like Dad" - essay
5th HM -Kimberlee Esselstrom, Grovveland, FL – "The Purrfect Salad"
6th HM - Leslie C. Halpern, Oviedo, FL – "White Tux Travesty" - essay
7th HM - Joy Wooderson, O'Fallon, MO – "Bougainvillea and Barbed Wire" - book chapter
8th HM - Linda Hudson Hoagland, North Tazewell, VA – "Getting Myself Primed"
9th HM - Kassandra Nelson, Colorado Springs, CO – "Deliberate Indifference" - essay
10th HM - Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Not About the Boxing"

POETRY
1st PLACE - Tanya O'Nan, Madison, IN – "Mamas Wear the Pants," free verse: humorous, entertaining story with insight and sensory appeal
2nd PLACE - JoAnn White, Watertown, NY – "The Chickadee," traditional poem, couplets set in quatrains: tightly written with appealing simplicity
3rd PLACE - Joyce Shiver, Crystal River, FL – "Widow of the Storm," traditional form, villanelle: fresh treatment, emotionally engaging, true to form
1st HM - Carol Dee Meeks, Tulsa, OK – "Eventually First May Come Her Way," villanelle: well-written and true to form
2nd HM - Erna Hennessy, San Francisco, CA – "The Game Is Up," free verse: tightly written humor, well-said
3rd HM - Joyce Holland, Fort Walton Beach, FL – "Gentle Joe Peck," ballad: lively story, good rhythm and form
4th HM - Sandy Fink, Dowling Park, FL – "Hair," haiku: light humor, reader identification
5th HM - Joan Weiner, Weaverville, NC – "I Want Words," free verse: fresh figurative language, very visual
6th HM - Ash Krafton, Barnesville, PA – "To Sleep, No More," traditional verse: memorable rhythmic refrain
7th HM - Tanya O'Nan, Madison, IN – "Hard Times," free verse: strong imagery and perspective
8th HM - Constance Golden, Duanesburg, NY – "Back," traditional quatrains: positive take on aging
9th HM - Michelle Lay, Arlington, TX – "Masquerade," free verse: tight writing, timely perspective
10th HM - Isa "Kitty" Mady," Montesano, WA – "Ode to a Jacaranda," rhyming verse: poignant ending

2010 Writers-Editors Network Annual International Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Marc Littman, Granada Hills, CA – "God's Train to Auschwitz"
2nd  PLACE - Barbara Pinsof, Boca Raton, FL – "The Collector"
3rd  PLACE - Alicia Stankay, Ambridge, PA – "Inspiration"
1st  HM - Barbara Pinsof, Boca Raton, FL – "The Beach"
2nd HM - Geraldine Bass, Olathe, KS – "The Dream"
3rd HM - J. J. White, Merritt Island, FL – "Oil Man"
4th HM - Steve Gordy, Aiken, SC – "Woman in Light, Man in Shadow"
5th HM - Jean Cottrell Pence, Sun City Center, FL – "On Cottonmouth Wallow Road"
6th HM - Linda Smith, San Mateo, CA – "Deception"
7th HM - Jan Cline, Spokane Valley, WA – "The Rescuer"
8th HM - W. E. Reinka, Eugene, OR – "An Old Fashioned Murder"
9th HM - Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Sorel's Song"
10th HM - Norma Von Deck, Delray Beach, FL – "Bottled Up"
11th HM - Dr. Jamie Y. Marable, Tuscaloosa, AL – "Granny's Love Potion"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Jack Riley, Yuma, AZ – "Deadrun" – Chapter One
2nd PLACE - Joseph Vicara, Hartsdale, NY – "The Calling" – Chapter: The Last Supper
3rd PLACE - Carol MacAllister, Boqueron, PR – "God Only Watches" – Chapter 2
1st HM - Gale Martin, Lititz, PA – "Deviled By Don" – Chapter 19: The Divo
2nd HM - Carol MacAllister, Boqueron, PR – "God Only Watches" – Chapter 23
3rd HM - Joseph J. Bakewell, Boxford, MA – "Strike"
4th HM - Scott Jones, Angel Fire, NM – "Jupiter and Gilgamesh"
5th HM - Patti J. Kurtz, Minot, ND – "The Disappearance of Amy Martinez" – Chapter 35
6th HM - Bharti Kirchner, Seattle, WA – "Maria's Marriage: A Novel of the 17th Century"
7th HM - Joyce Fox and Lee Kane Roen, Boynton Beach, FL – "Why Me?" – Chapter One
8th HM - Erna Mueller, Kirkland, WA – "Dog Heaven" – Chapter Six
9th HM - Camelia Townsend, Great Falls, VA – "A Suspicious Encounter in the Heart of Washington"
10th HM - Michelle Giles, Neptune, NJ – "Larchwood Manor"

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Linda Zajac, Vernon, CT – "The Ice Birds in a Warming Land" - nonfiction book chapter, ages 9-12: well-written, interesting, well-researched, well-written, and appropriate to the age group
2nd PLACE - Darlene A. Buechel, Chilton, WI – "Nikki Slater - Chocolate Hater" - short story, ages 10-14: fresh, realistic portrayal of an important topic told with humor
3rd PLACE - Jeffrey Ketterman, York, PA – "How Many Socks?" picture book, ages 2-8: lively, perennial topic of interest to young children
1st HM - Shari Garcia, Newtown, CT – "Treasure, Chapter One" - book chapter, ages 6-11: reader appeal, mystery interest
2nd HM - Erik X. Raj, Jackson, NJ – "One Seashell, Two Seashell, Flap, Flap, Flap" - picture book: hildren's picture book: lively, fresh story
3rd HM - J. M. Hughes, Pasadena, CA – "Atlutaq's Luck" - short story, ages 10-12: unusual story and setting
4th HM - Carla J. Trabert, Columbia City, IN – "One Blue Monkey" - poem, ages 4-8: clever combination of numbers, colors, and animals 
5th HM - Melissa Killian, Cheswick, PA – "The Cricket" - short story, ages 8-12: age appropriate, reader identification, well-written
6th HM - Michael L. Thal, Sherman Oaks, CA – "The Haunted Hotel" - short story, ages 8-12: adventurous
7th HM - W. E. Reinka, Eugene, OR – "Max Schmeling - Hitler's 'White Hope'" - book chapter, ages 8-12: historical interest
8th HM - Michelle L. Brown, Wellington, KS – "Southpaw Politicians" - nonfiction article, ages 8-12: interesting information, age appropriate

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Mark Hawthorne, Rohnert Park, CA – "Feeding the Future" – VegNews
2nd PLACE - Linda Zajac, Vernon, CT – "The Vinland Map: The Vikings' Best Kept Secret" – ChemMatters
3rd PLACE - Ruth Hebel-Petrauskas, Oakville, CT – "American Soldiers – A German Family – German Life
1st HM - Eric Krueger, Clovis, CA – "Jackie O.'s N. J." – The New York Times
2nd HM - Christy Wise, Washington, DC – "Memory Book" – Bayou Magazine
3rd HM - Ronda Armstrong, Des Moines, IA – "Laughs, Prayers, and Every Bloomin' Thing" – Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tough People
4th HM - Kay Grant, Albuquerque, NM – "The Center of the Universe" – Cowboys & Indians
5th HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA – "How to Play in the Wind – and Win" – Sportstar
6th HM - Ronda Armstrong, Des Moines, IA – "Peppermint Mama" – The Des Moines Register
7th HM - Ronda Armstrong, Des Moines, IA – "Let's Learn to Feast on Our Blessings Every Day" – The Des Moines Register
8th HM - Carol J. Perry, Madeira Beach, FL – "Protests, Prisons and Postcards" – Barr's Post Card News
9th HM - Sue Blue, Sarasota, FL – "The Colonel" – Scene Magazine
10th HM - Betty Bogart, Boynton Beach, FL – "Unforgettable" – Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - W. E. Reinka, Eugene, OR – "Chest Hair"
2nd PLACE - Christine Osborne, Joesborough, TN – "God, Find Me My Mountain"
3rd PLACE - Kimberlee Esselstrom, Groveland, FL – "It Only Takes a Second"
1st HM - Christy Wise, Washington, DC – "Not Knowing a Man"
2nd HM - Cynthia A. Anderson, Chapel Hill, NC – "The Clock Stops"
3rd HM - John Laue, La Selva Beach, CA – 'An Education: My Time as a White Musician in a Black Blues Band'
4th HM - Myrna Skurnick, Boca Raton, FL – "A Sign of 'The Times'"
5th HM - Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Calling"
6th HM - Christine Osborne, Jonesborough, TN – "Mattie's Place"
7th HM - Jan Sherbin, Cincinnati, OH – "Under Fire"
8th HM - Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Tureen"
9th HM - Myrna Gordon Skurnick, Boca Raton, FL – "My Love Story"
10th HM - Barbara Oehlbeck, LaBelle, FL – "Cascade"

POETRY
1st PLACE - Morgan Baylog Finn, New Hartford, CT – "I Drive Through Canaan to Shagroy Market" - sonnet: literary quality, well-crafted, fresh analogy, strong visuals
2nd PLACE - Tanya O'Nan, Madison, IN – "Southern Royalty" - free verse: engaging, lively story with fresh metaphors and humorous ending
3rd PLACE - Catherine Moran, Little Rock, AR – "Fiat Lux" - free verse: crisp imagery, insightful, strong ending
1st HM - Joyce Shiver, Crystal River, FL – "Golden Youth" - villanelle: true to form, strong reader identification
2nd HM - Susan E. Hansen, South Lyon, MI – "Earthquake" - free verse: well-written, interesting perspective
3rd HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, MO – "Mustang Ranch" - hymn stanzas: humorous, tightly written, unusual view
4th HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, MO – "Bag Lady" - quatern:  effective use of form, tightly written
5th HM - Joyce Shiver, Crystal River, FL – "Dogwood Time" - double sonnet: sense of story, emotional impact
6th HM - Alice Liu, Saratoga, CA – "Forever Friend" - sonnet: fresh analogy, true to form
7th HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, MO – "Vacancy" - sonnet: true to form, well-crafted
8th HM - Michelle Hickman, San Diego, CA – "Candlelight" - free verse: figurative language, visual

2009 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Mark Hawthorne, Rohnert Park, CA – "Dried Up"
2nd PLACE - Kay Grant, Albuquerque, NM – "The Center of the Universe"
3rd PLACE - Kay Grant, Albuquerque, NM – "Fresno – Bountiful Harvest of Fun"
1st HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA – "Tennis vs. Golf: Which Sport Is Tougher?"
2nd HM - Suzette Martinez Standring, Milton, MA – "The Quest for a Column"
3rd HM - Toni Leland, Nashport, OH – "Playing with Giants: Amazon as Your Marketing Partner"
4th HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA – "Records Are Made To Be Broken"
5th HM - Phyllis Hanlon, Charlton, MA – "U.S. Sisters and Sun Power for Africa"
6th HM - Sarah Wilfong, Nashville, TN – "Life is a Highway"
7th HM - Linda B. Bragg, New Port Richey, FL – "The Music Man"
8th HM - Alma H. Bond, "Margaret Mahler: A Biography of the Psychoanalyst: The Nazis"
9th HM - Ronda Armstrong, Des Moines, IA – Choosing Chocolates
10th HM - Roberta Sandler, Wellington, FL – "Okeechobee Battlefield Monument" from "A Brief Guide to Florida's Monuments and Memorials"

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Barbara Oehlbeck, LaBelle, FL – "Cascade"
2nd PLACE - Cherylann Taramykin, Heathrow, FL – "Losing Gala"
3rd PLACE - Gale Martin, Lititz, PA – "Ti For Two"
1st HM - Sue Blue, Sarasota, FL – "Vanilla"
2nd HM - Christine Osborne, Jonesborough, TN – "Somebody Has to Do It"
3rd HM - John Merchant, Miromar Lakes, FL – "Jane and Billie and Jill and Rose"
4th HM - Joy Wooderson, O'Fallon, MO – "Seeking the God of Moses"
5th HM - David Rockower, Boalsburg, PA – "Grandpa's Laugh"
6th HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, MO – "Sanctuary"
7th HM - Melanie Ansele Cameron, Scottsdale, AZ – "The Journey to Find the Taste of My Youth"
8th HM - Kim Rogers, Edmond, OK – "D-Day"
9th HM - Scott Jones, Angel Fire, NM – "Trajectory of History and Physics"

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Gale Martin, Lititz, PA – "On Hens and Elephants and Being Like Them"
2nd  PLACE - Tawdra Thompson Kandle, Apopka, FL – "Analine's Pearls"
3rd  PLACE - Morton M. Rumberg, Gold River, CA – "Gone Fishing"
1st  HM - Alicia Stankay, Ambridge, PA – "Heart to Heart"
2nd HM - Maxine Hart, Gainesville, FL – "Mitanke"
3rd HM - Norma Von Deck, Delray Beach, FL – "The Mentor"
4th HM - Patty Brant, Clewiston, FL – "Full Circle"
5th HM - Alicia Stankay, Ambridge, PA – "Awakenings"
6th HM - Norma King Green, Fairfield, CA – "A Meeting of the Hearts"
7th HM - Lee Kane Roen, Boynton Beach, FL – "One Day I Just Lost My Heart"
8th HM - Morton M. Rumberg, Gold River, CA – "A Gift From Trinh"
9th HM - Lee Kane Roen, Boynton Beach, FL – "Silver to Gold"
10th HM - J. J. White, Merritt Island, FL – "She Dances on Her Toes"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Carol MacAllister, Boqueron, PR – "God Only Watches"
2nd PLACE - Robert Samuel Cromartie III, M.D., Ormond Beach, FL – Romanov Curse, Chapter 3"
3rd PLACE - W. E. Reinka, Eugene, OR – "The Cabin on the Ridge"
1st HM - Patti J. Kurtz, Minot, ND – "The Disappearance of Amy Martinez"
2nd HM - Alma H. Bond, New York, NY – "Jackie Kennedy Restores the White House" from "I, Jackie";
3rd HM - Pamela Bazemore, Birchwood, TX – "A Choice Between"
4th HM - William Robert DuPriest, Coral Gables, FL – "Commando Paratroopers, Chapter 46: Aunt Patsy was a Slave"
5th HM - Robert Samuel Cromartie III, M.D., Ormond Beach, FL – Romanov Quest, Prologue"
6th HM - William Robert DuPriest, Coral Gables, FL - "Commando Paratroopers, Chapter 47: Swimmin' with 'Gators"
7th HM - Dawn A. Baldwin, Lewisburg, WV – "The Corner Cupboard, Chapter 5: First Night"
8th HM - Dawn A. Baldwin, Lewisburg, WV – "The Corner Cupboard, Chapter 1: September 24, 1861"
9th HM - Sheri Gaia Chapin, Stuart, FL – "Dark Mercy – Chapter 14"
10th HM - TJ Perkins, Reisterstown, MD – Shadow Legacy: Art of the Ninja–Earth, Chapter 1: Hidden Threat"

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Carla J. Trabert, Columbia City, IN – "Cows In Pink Tutus" – humorous short story children can relate to and readily picture as fantasy overcomes boredom, ages 4–8
2nd PLACE - Joan Meador, Yorba Linda, CA – "Not Enough Shoes" – humorous, lively counting backward poem kids will identify with and enjoy, ages 4–8
3rd PLACE - Geraldine Guadagno, Canyon Lake, TX – "From Volcano to Lake" - interesting nonfiction article with a positive take on natural phenomena happening today, ages 8 and up
1st HM - Linda Zajac, Vernon, CT – "Whale Crossing" – chapter, nonfiction book
2nd HM - Sandy Hill, Kingston, WA – "Designed to Fish" – nonfiction article
3rd HM - Janine Yordy, Woodbury, MN – "Rapunzel" – poem
4th HM - Gail F. McKenna, Coconut Grove, FL – "We Love You Anyway" – children's picture book text
5th HM - Michelle L. Brown, Wellington, KS – "The Peace Warrior" – short story
6th HM - Cathy C. Hall, Lilburn, GA – "Ballerina Dreams" – nonfiction article
7th HM - Megan Tootle, Richmond, VA – "The Attic Secret" – first chapter, novel
8th HM - C. E. Good, Bloomingburg, NY – "Little Bubble" – poem
9th HM - Geraldine Guadagno, Canyon Lake, TX – "If I Could" – short story
10th HM - Suzette Saxton, Elk Ridge, UT – "Secret Sisters" – chapter, novel

POETRY
1st PLACE - Rosalyn Becker, Fort Myers, FL - "An Afternoon In Paris" – relevant commentary on society with clear pictures, reader identification, and light humor in free verse
2nd PLACE - Joyce Shiver, Crystal River, FL - "The Witch of Wilmington" – insightful commentary on phoniness, gossip, and other false values kept in line by a traditional but lively villanelle
3rd PLACE - Morgan Baylog Finn, New Hartford, CT - "Guernica" – a series of voices from Picasso's famous painting telling their stories and perspectives in literary free verse
1st HM - Joy Grogan, Summersville, MO - "Millennium" – well-woven sonnet
2nd HM - Donna Vincenti, Moscow, ID - "Just Punishment" – humorous free verse
3rd HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, MO - "Shall We Dance?" – strong emotional impact in hymn ballad stanzas
4th HM - Donna Vincenti, Moscow, ID – "On the Mountain" – fresh imagery in free verse
5th HM - Carol Carpenter, Livonia, MI - "Lost in Legoland, Carlsbad, California" – free verse
6th HM - Carol Dee Meeks, Broken Arrow, OK - "Poetry Everywhere, Many Lines From Pros and Others" – sonnet duet
7th HM - Lisa M. Carlone, Cortlandt Manor, NY - "Your Faith Has Saved Your" – free verse
8th HM - Steve Keteltas, Largo, FL - "Poetry in Bed" – rhyming quatrains
9th HM - Joyce Shiver, Crystal River, FL - "October's Song" – traditional sonnet
10th HM - Cam Bianco, Charleston, SC - "When I Was Young" – free verse lyric
 

2008 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Wilma W. Reitz, Greenville, SC – "Duets"
2nd  PLACE - Miriam Goodspeed, Palm Harbor, FL – "Jungle Madness"
3rd  PLACE - Lee Kane Roen, Pompano Beach, FL – "Starting Over"
1st  HM - Barbara Pinsof, Boca Raton, FL – "Nelson"
2nd HM - Russell Mangum, Altamonte Springs, FL – "The Color of Skim Milk"
3rd HM - Barbara Pinsof, Boca Raton, FL – "The Collector"
4th HM - T. R. Blackburn, Clearwater, FL – "The Door"
5th HM - Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Intermingling"
6th HM - John Paul McKinney, Fort Collins, CO – "The Revolving Door"
7th HM - Lee Kane Roen, Pompano Beach, FL – "The Key Jangler"
8th HM - Patricia Bingham, Pocatello, ID – "Lester & Bunny Go Shopping"
9th HM - Kelley C. Fisher, Holt, FL – "Roger That"
10th HM - Linda Hudson Hoagland, North Tazewell, VA – "Button-Popping Proud"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Kathleen Ewing, Prescott Valley, AZ – "Hang the Moon" – Heads above others. Lyrical without going overboard.
2nd PLACE - Laurance Davis, Malabar, FL – "Like the River"
3rd PLACE - Sam Cromartie III, Ormond Beach, FL – "Ultimate Duty"
1st HM - Nichole Bernier, Wellesley, MA – "To Reach the Knowing" - Chapter One
2nd HM - Sam Cromartie III, Ormond Beach, FL – "Romanov Curse" - Chapter: December 1916 Russia
3rd HM - Michelle Giles, Neptune, NJ – "The First Lady"
4th HM - Charol Messenger and Glenn T. Fakiér, Denver, CO – "The Hidden" - Chapter 3: Acadia
5th HM - Irene Kueh, Lincoln, IL – "The Voices"
6th HM - C. Hope Clark, Chapin, SC – "Tomato Stewed"
7th HM - Wyndemere Coffey, Minneapolis, MN – "Stella June"
8th HM - Gale Martin, Lititz, PA – "The Shaker Proposal" - Chapter Seven
9th HM - Sam Cromartie III, Ormond Beach, FL – "Romanov Quest" - Prologue: Sept. 1, 1939 Moscow
10th HM - Sheri Gaia Chapin, Stuart, FL – "Dark Mercy"

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Laura Murray, Orlando, FL – "The Things You Can Do With Bubble Brew!" – nonfiction article – This well-researched, well-written article nicely covers a timeless, age-appropriate subject having strong reader appeal.
2nd PLACE - Michelle L. Brown, Wellington, KS – "Kimu and the Kelp Forest" – short story – The age-appropriate concerns and vocabulary move along a futuristic but credible plot.
3rd PLACE - Maripat Mohr, Adrian MI – "How Can I Think of Eating?" – poem – This colorful story-poem has the makings of a lively picture book.
Most Honorable Mention - Thomas M. Earnhart, Jacksonville, FL – "Mars Base Gamma and the Stone of Marel – book chapter – Good writing and professionalism bring added impact to this fresh story.
2nd HM - Linda Rose Zajac, Vernon, CT – "Hiking a Massive Sheet of Ice" – nonfiction article
3rd HM - Carla J. Trabert, Columbia City, IN – "What Do You See In the Sky So Blue?" – poem
4th HM - Michelle L. Brown, Wellington, KS – "Christmas Crop" – short story
5th HM - Jan Sherbin, Cincinnati, OH – "I'd Love to Travel" – poem
6th HM - Margaret Dockry, The Woodlands, TX – "The Dinosaur Garden" – short story
7th HM - Morgan Baylog Finn, New Hartford, CT – "Braces" – short story
8th HM - Christina L. Farley, Windermere, FL & Seoul, South Korea – "Chosen Warrior" – novel chapter
9th HM - Anne Bryon Westrick, Mechanicsville, VA – "A Brown Rabbit" – novel chapter
10th HM - Florence Wilkinson, Houston, TX – "Hep To the Jive" – short story

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Doug Alderson, Tallahassee, FL – "A Watery Thread Through Time"
2nd PLACE - Kay Grant, Albuquerque, NM – "Working Undercover"
3rd PLACE - Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Champion"
1st HM - Kay Grant, Albuquerque, NM – "The Pig War"
2nd HM - Donna J. Lund, Pittsburgh, PA – "My Father, The Hobo"
3rd HM - Hugh Neeld, Jacksonville, TX – "Okinawa: A Sixty Year Retrospective"
4th HM - Elizabeth Johnson, Alum Bridge, WV – "What I Learned In the Woods"
5th HM - Todd D. Keister, Binghamton, NY – "Is That Trooper OK?"
6th HM - Elizabeth Orendorff, Apopka, FL – "Poor Oscar"
7th HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA – "You've Come A Long Way, Ladies"
8th HM - Kim Rogers, Edmond, OK – "The Substitute"
9th HM - Jackie Papandrew, Largo, FL – "Days of Derangement"
10th HM - Gale Martin, Lititz, PA – "Oh, For That Familiar Sound of Summer"

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Elaine Jordan, Prescott, AZ – "Barbara's Gift"
2nd PLACE - Arlene Hauben, Aventura FL – "Beulah's Linen Closet"
3rd PLACE - Jody Karr, Oklahoma City, OK – "A Pocketful of Nuts: A Squirrely Love Story"
1st HM - Lois Duncan, Sarasota, FL – "The Tally Keeper"
2nd HM - Ash Krafton, Barnesville, PA – "The Dry Sink"
3rd HM - Myra Skurnick, Boca Raton, FL – "From One To Ten"
4th HM - Margaret Montgomery, Alhambra, CA – "If It's Blue, It Must Be Mozart"
5th HM - David Rockower, Boalsburg, PA – "Take My Hand"
6th HM - Joyce Fox, Harrogate, N. Yorkshire, England – "Landing In Heaven"
7th HM - Catherine A. Missinne, Omaha, NE – "My Room"
8th HM - W. E. Reinka, Eugene, OR – "Day Plus 1,000"
9th HM - Carol Newman, San Pablo, CA – "I Was A Radical Feminist In A Topless Band"
10th HM - William C. Walker, Vero Beach, FL – "Joe's Rowboat"

POETRY
1st PLACE - Carol Carpenter, Livonia, MI – "Norma Jean Inhales Deadly Fumes" – free verse – Solid nouns, active verbs, and a novel idea create an insightful story with visual movement, strong impact, and reader appeal.
2nd PLACE - Shirley I. Caravana, New Port Richey, FL – "Now Is The Time For All Good Men" – pantoum – In traditionally good form, these lines turn old thoughts and clichés into a fresh, timely, and thought-provoking poem with strong reader impact.
3rd PLACE - Rebecca J. Stahl, Ipswich, MA – "I Write On Walls" – free verse – The simplicity of lines and language in this poem bring a refreshing voice that will be heard especially well by poets.
Most Honorable Mention - Donna Vincenti, Moscow, ID – "This Year" – free verse – This poem paints scenes the reader can easily envision and quietly adds sound effects that speak of redemption.
2nd HM - Ash Krafton, Barnesville, PA – "Six Words for Edgar" – sestina
3rd HM - Shawn Sorensen, Portland, OR – "No Universe We Know" – free verse
4th HM - Joyce Shiver, Crystal River, FL – "Under the Bougainvillea" – sonnet
5th HM - Leslie Halpern, Oviedo, FL – "What the Real Estate Agent Can Tell Prospective Buyers" – free verse
6th HM - Betsy Humphreys, Granite Falls, NC – "If I can't take the island with me …" – free verse
7th HM - Herron Miller, Poulsbo, WA – "Words" – villanelle
8th HM - Nedra Rogers, Lawrence, KS – "I Buy the Dress" – free verse
9th HM - Rebecca J. Stahl, Ipswich, MA – "The Missing and the Lost" – free verse

2007 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Jenny Lentz, Philadelphia, PA – "Fixer-Upper" – Outstanding plotting & characters. Author takes reader inside character's feelings
2nd  PLACE - Deborah Sharp, Fort Lauderdale, FL – "Couldn't Be Easier" – Very good. Flows very well. Excellent use of dialogue.
3rd  PLACE - Myrna Skurnick, Boca Raton, FL – "Penny Colored" – Excellent story & characters. Author takes reader immediately to 1900. Well done. Clever & different.
1st  HM - John J. White, Merritt Island, FL – "The Iron Hoop" – Interesting. Well done and realistic. Good characters.
2nd HM - Joyce Fox, Boca Raton, FL – "Gardenia Street" – Good story. Flows well. Good plot & characters - they come alive.
3rd HM - Joyce Fox, Boca Raton, FL – "Fortune Cookies" – Clever. Well done.
4th HM -Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Secrets"
5th HM - Carol A. Collier, Sonoma, CA – "Love Potion No. 19"
6th HM - Billy Whitesides, Dallas, NC – "The Good Wife"
7th HM - Kermit Brown, Asheville, NC – "The Innkeeper"
8th HM - Jean Pence, Sun City Center, FL – "They All Say They Love Me, But …" 
9th HM - Lee Kane, Pompano Beach, FL – "Becoming An American"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Sam Cromartie III, Ormond Beach, FL – "Himmler's Mistress"
2nd PLACE - Dan Dundon, Jacksonville, FL – "The Shanghai Madonna" - Chapter 1
3rd PLACE - Bruce and Pamela Nyman, Casa Grande, AZ – "Waffen" - Chapter Eight
1st HM - J. Anderson Harp, Columbus, GA – "The Megiddo Factor" - Chapter 1
2nd HM - Sam Cromartie III, Ormond Beach, FL – "Romanov Quest" - Chapter 1
3rd HM - Carol A. Collier, Sonoma, CA  – "La Florida" - Chapter One
4th HM - Prudy Taylor Board, Delray Beach, FL – "Killer Cuisine" - Chapter 1
5th HM - Marcia Fine, Scottsdale, AZ – "Paper Children" - Book Two: Sarah, Chapter One
6th HM - Carol A. Collier, Sonoma, CA – "An Appalachian Summer" - Chapter One
7th HM - Marcia Fine, Scottsdale, AZ – "The Blind Eye" - Chapter One

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
[Note from the judge: This year's entries included many beautifully written manuscripts that received no mention, either because the situations and language were not appropriate for the age group or because the poem or story contained errors that could have been corrected with a minimum of research.]
1st PLACE - Susanna L. Hill, Poughquag, NY – "The Sisters Club" (short story, ages 4-8) – Included humor, lively writing, an interesting story, and an age-appropriate "who knew" refrain that will especially appeal to 6 to 9-year-old girls.
2nd PLACE - Barbara A. Kipps, Laguna Niguel, CA – "Casey" (poem, ages 2-6) – Presented a Read-to-me Story in rhythmic verse with fun and fresh appeal for children who wonder if it's okay to be different.
3rd PLACE - Suzanne Goldsmith-Hirsch, Bexley, OH – "Quitsa's Bands" (novel chapter, ages 10 and up) – Chapter One offered an interesting setting, environmental theme, and excellent writing with a plot that will appeal to readers who, too, face changes in their families.
1st HM - Sandy Green, Fairfax, VA – "Recital Time" (poem, ages 8-12) – Played the full scale of good writing with fresh comparisons, a rhythmic beat, and an appealing story appropriate to the age.
2nd HM - Christopher Cusumano, Naples, FL – "Swish" (short story, ages 4-8) – Offered energetic writing, a lively tale, and an age-appropriate introduction to constellations and wishes.
3rd HM - Thomas M. Earnhart, Jacksonville, FL – "Mars Base Delta and the Medusa Stone" (novel chapter, ages 12 and up) – Chapter One had story intrigue and a plausible plot in a space fantasy setting.
4th HM - Joyce Shiver, Crystal River, FL – "The Placing Out" (novel chapter, ages 9-12) – Chapter One presented an appealing historical setting and interesting story of adaptation.
5th HM - Laura Leigh Murray, Orlando, FL – "Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere" (poem, ges 3-8) – Carried a lively rhythm to young readers who will identify with this age-appropriate story poem.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA – "Tennis for the Bloody Fun of It"
2nd PLACE - Barbara Oehlbeck, LaBelle, FL – "Ricky"
3rd PLACE - David Rockower, Boalsburg, PA – "Boys' Night Out"
1st HM - Robin Allen, Canyon Lake, TX – "Peace, Love, and a Big Yellow Table"
2nd HM - Lois Elfman, New York, NY – "Park's Guardian Angel Central Figure in Kusher Documentary
3rd HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA, and Christopher Noble, Winchester, MA – "Why Player Challenges Are a Bad Call"
4th HM - John McCafferty, Venice, FL – "Dear Santa, Sprechen Sie Deutsch?"
5th HM - Wendy R. Levine Gross, South Pasadena, FL – "Pinellas Woman's Search for Kidney Ends in Own Synagogue's Sisterhood"
6th HM - Wendy R. Levine Gross, South Pasadena, FL – "In Life, Misfortune Overwhelmed Her; In Death, a Community Embraced Her"
7th HM - W. E. Reinka, Eugene, OR – "Seeing Angels"
8th HM - Horace E. Smith, Jacksonville, FL – "Temptation"
9th HM - Thomas J. Purcell, Saline, MI – "The Application of Metrics to Determine the Work Rate for Producing the First Draft of the Clinical Study Report: A Case Study"
10th HM - Sterling Haynes, Westbank, BC, Canada – "The Reluctant Physician"

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Cherylann Taramykin, Heathrow, FL – "Ravaged: The Onset, Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis"
2nd PLACE - Maxwell Taylor Courson, Valrico, FL – "Dixie Mafia Don" – Chapter 1: Easy Money
3rd PLACE - Elaine Greensmith Jordan, Prescott, AZ – "Swimming With Joan Baez"
1st HM - Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Be A Doctor"
2nd HM - Hilary Hansen, Reisterstown, MD – "For the Love of Fuzz:"
3rd HM - Liz Johnson, Alum Ridge, WV – "In Pack Fashion"
4th HM - Arlene Hauben, Aventura, FL – "6½ Weeks"
5th HM - Paul Winick, Hollywood, FL – "Children One And A Half Million"
6th HM - Leeann H. Whiffen, Highland, UT – "Not So Far Away"
7th HM - Deborah Sharp, Fort Lauderdale, FL – "Just Visiting"
8th HM - Barbara Oehlbeck, LaBelle, FL – "Daisy's Dying"
9th HM - Debby Seguin, San Antonio, TX – "Happy Birthday!"
10th HM - John Chen, Troy, OH – "Mr. Mauntler's Flat Earth"

POETRY
[Note from the judge: This year's entries had gorgeous wording in several poems that didn't place because they did not adequately engage the readers. Other potentially good poems suffered from lack of freshness in the perspective, content, or comparisons used.]
1st PLACE - Catherine Moran, Little Rock, AR – "Guarding the fort" (free verse, 35 lines) – Stood out with its stunning descriptions, engaging story, emotional appeal, reader identification, and skillful use of sentence length and structure to vary the tempo.
2nd PLACE - Carol Carpenter, Livonia, MI – "Fireflies of the Manic Moon" (free verse, 24 lines) – Compressed a lifetime into 24 tightly woven lines with which readers can identify when they, too, return to home and hope and self.
3rd PLACE - Ruth Y. Nott, Chiefland, FL – "Blocking the Way to Freedom" (traditional, villanelle, 19 lines) – Blocked fresh imagery into quilt squares and lines of soldiers while staying true to form.
1st HM - Lynne Brescia, Englewood, CO – "Ground Cover" (free verse, 5 lines) – Spread simplicity, profound insight, and the highly effective use of few words and fewer lines.
2nd HM - Emeline Rodway, The Villages, FL – "Baptismal Shawl" (traditional, sonnet, 14 lines) – Weaves good visuals and good values into a good form.
3rd HM - Jenner K. Whitt, Cypress, TX – "Illustration" (free verse, 18 lines) – Presented a humorous scene and fresh twist so true, so true of human nature.
4th HM - Graal Braun, St. Petersburg, FL – "Poetry Editors To Poets" (traditional, rhyming couplets, 24 lines) – Relayed credible situations most poets sadly encounter but with good humor and a rhythmic beat.
5th HM - Graal Braun, St. Petersburg, FL – "Late Bloomers" (traditional, rhyming quatrains, 20 lines) – Offered a lively look at lively women who outlive the men in their lives.
6th HM - Ray Fulmer, Sebring, FL – "Knee-Deep" (free verse, 25 lines) – Waded into two contrasting scenes with well-written lines and interesting juxtaposition.
7th HM - John Merchant, Miromar Lakes, FL – "Time Left To Go" (free verse, 20 lines) – Provided a bitter-sweet contrast between the difficulties of aging and the ease with which a hawk goes about its day.
8th HM - Mary Jo Maguire, Denver, CO – "Buoyant" (free verse, 9 lines) – Presented a lively image of Louisiana, using a fresh comparison, musicality, and a minimum of lines.

2006 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Barbara Bitela, Roseville, CA - "War Dogs"
2nd  PLACE - Jason Belbey, Vancouver, WA - "Three Seconds Daily"
3rd  PLACE - Arlene J. Schreiber, Boca Raton, FL and Floral Park, NY - "A Home for Kayla"
1st  HM - Gary R. Hoffman, Pensacola, FL - "The Purse"
2nd HM - W. David MacKenzie, Seattle, WA - "The Map"
3rd HM - Barbara Pinsof, Boca Raton, FL - "Spirit of the Waves"
4th HM - Linda Chubbuck, West Palm Beach, FL - "His Best Asset"
5th HM - James Fender, Sunrise, FL - "The Patients"
6th HM - Joyce Fox, N. Yorkshire, England - "Like a Butterfly Wing"
7th HM - David M. Bishop, Surprise, AZ - "Heading West"
8th HM - John Allen Boyd, Louisville, KY - "The Camphor Tree"
9th HM - David Baker, Berkeley, CA - "Appreciating Rembrandt"
10th HM -Sybil Fleming, Stowe, VT - "For the Very Last Time"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Cassie Dandridge Selleck, Mayo, FL - "The Pecan Man," Chapter One
2nd PLACE - Lois Avrick, Delray Beach, FL - "Clara's Journey"
3rd PLACE - Harold Ramage, La Verne, CA - "Walkabout," Chapter One
1st HM - Lorrie Kruse, Antigo, WI - "A Life Worth Living," Chapter One
2nd HM - Sarah Burtenshaw, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - "Chailey's Daze," Chapter 1
3rd HM - Henry Hoffman, Fort Myers, FL - "Flaherty's Run," Chapter One
4th HM - Dan Dundon, Jacksonville, FL - "Lassiter Hill," Prologue
5th HM - Cynthia Polansky, Crownsville, MD - "Remote Control," Chapter One
6th HM - Tiffany Quay Tyson, Centennial, CO - "Alligator Charge," Chapter One
7th HM - Karen Simpson, Ann Arbor, MI - "Act of Grace," Chapter 1 – Rise
8th HM - Jennie A. MacLeod, Westbrook, ME - "Till," I'd Rather Be Golfing
9th HM - Susan Swanson, New Orleans, LA - "Byron and Adelaide," Chapter 1
10th HM - J. E. Lemmé, Lake Forest Park, WA - "The Border," Part I Chapter 1

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Susanna L. Hill, Poughquag, NY - "The One-Hour Bicycle" (short story, ages 6-10) – Skillfully demonstrates the value of showing values in an age-appropriate, memorable, visually appealing, poetic yet realistic narrative set in an engaging era.
2nd PLACE - Janine Yordy, Fort Mill, SC - "Tattle Snake" (poem, ages 4-8) – Twists its appropriately serpentine lines into a concise tale with a clever view of animal life and age-appropriate humor.
3rd PLACE - Linda Rose Zajac, Vernon, CT - "A Night at the Light" (nonfiction article, sidebar, references) – Sensory description, a first person viewpoint, and interesting information about a lighthouse engage readers yet avoid the typical trap of fiction techniques overshadowing the clear presentation of nonfiction information.
1st HM - Susanna L. Hill, Poughquag, NY - "Millicent's Magic" (short story, ages 4-8) – Entices even an adult reader who prefers not to read about witches! This lively story adds good humor and a fresh twist to the old adage, "Be true to yourself."
2nd HM - Paul Hetzler, Canton, NY - "The Three Little Pigs: How It Actually Happened" (short story, ages 9-12) – Lives up to the title with a lively "report" and fresh humor.
3rd HM - Kathryn Fitzmaurice, Monarch Beach, CA - "Chocolate, Just Right" (novel chapter, ages 8-12) – Provides a just-right opening and a novel approach to a novel with credible characters.
4th HM - Jolene D. Griffith, Charleston, WV - "Trouble In-House" (short story, ages 6-12) – Offers a fresh perspective of home life and a light touch of humor with animals who reflect how children often feel about change.
5th HM - Verna Safran, Sarasota, FL - "Long Trunk, Short Breath" (short story, ages 5-11) – Presents helpful nonfiction information in an interesting story.
6th HM - Melissa Killian, Cheswick, PA - "Lenni and Jackie" (short story, ages 9-12) – Maintains a lively pace with believable characters to draw readers into an age-appropriate story.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Lynne R. Christen, Mary Esther, FL - "Tu Comprendes Ingles?" – An 8-day immersive English language program for Spanish business people in Spain. If the conversations were as engaging as this column, the students were indeed in for a treat.
2nd PLACE - Gerry Mandel, St. Louis, MO - "Piano Sonata in 4 Movements: L'Adieu" – Strikingly adept author demonstrates that, where there is love, you can feel and say the truth.
3rd PLACE - John McCafferty, Venice, FL - "Why There's New Hope for the Mentally Ill" – Engaging overview smooths in a good starting guide to local services and players; adjusts expectations, and sneaks in quick facts that could make a difference.
1st HM - Two Lenz, Las Vegas, NV - "Walking Through Walls: Overcoming the Stigma of Serious Mental Illness" – Riveting story; author wows us with her own caring. I never suspected until the end who would be doing some "overcoming."
2nd HM - Tracy Koretsky, Berkeley, CA - "Baptism by Turtle: How I Became a Convert to Volunteering" – Well-crafted prose shows there are much more meaningful things to achieve with special-needs people. (This article inspired the author's novel, Ropeless, www.readropeless.com)
3rd HM - Mike Jernigan, Kaneohe, HI - "Achilles Down: The Marine Corps' Critical Vulnerability" – Can make any thoughtful reader feel they've just been plundered. Also serves as a useful wake-up call for anyone who has not addressed personal privacy concerns.
4th HM - Jan Sherbin, Cincinnati, OH - "V-E Day Merits America's Thought, 60 Years Later" – Eye-popping look at the Nazi strangle-hold that killed 27 million Soviet men, women, and children; author brings us closer to the oft-ignored statistic and the heroic struggle of many more.
5th HM - Carol MacAllister, Ocean Grove, NJ - "Molly Pitcher" – Nice introduction to a lesser-known hero of our revolution, with technical explanations from the period and clarification of a disputed point.
6th HM - DeLene Sholes, Santa Rosa Beach, FL - "Sue" – A good story.
7th HM - Julie Sturgeon, Greenwood, IN - "Mine, All Mine" – Original ideas and interview quotes make a strong article.
8th HM - Carol MacAllister, Ocean Grove, NJ - "Stroll the Graveyard" – Fun piece.
9th HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA - "10 Ways to Fire Up Tennis" – Whether fantasy or not, fans may also enjoy this wish list of ways to spark up the business – for an industry magazine.
10th HM - Wendy R. Levine Gross, South Pasadena, FL - "To Life and Liberation" – Keeps the connection to living flames of remembrance going.

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Debby Seguin, San Antonio, TX - "My Arrival" – Only one other contest entrant throughout my years judging has painted such pictures in my mind. When I fall in love with architecture, draperies, furniture, and paintings before really getting to know the little girl who disses them, there's something going on behind the pen.
2nd PLACE - Hilary Hansen, Reisterstown, MD - "Oral History" – Few people could talk about their own bad teeth for 3,000 words and make it funny – or at least light. A delight to read.
3rd PLACE - Hilary Hansen, Reisterstown, MD - "Two for One" – Cute story reveals a couple's odyssey to the perfect place to dance.
1st HM - Mary Beth Sloan, Pensacola Beach, FL - "Surprised by Freedom" – A Vietnam war veteran lying next to a man from Saigon in a VA hospital – a recuperation of the emotional heart – told by a friend of the American veteran clearly and well.
2nd HM - Debby Seguin, San Antonio, TX - "The Great Bed-Switching Caper" – You're a fabulous writer!
3rd HM - Sarah Kaufman, Altaville, CA - "Trip to Big Trees" – Good use of metaphor and excellent timing with various elements. Very good piece.
4th HM - Wendy Elizabeth Murray, Weaverville, NC - "BLUXTC: (Blue Ecstasy)" – The article is fun.
5th HM - Lily Beck, Weaverville, NC - "The Monument" – Good buildup and bang for the buck.
6th HM - Mary E. Gale & Ginger Curry, West Palm Beach, FL - "Panning the Streets of Gold for Compassion" – Interesting method of doing research.
7th HM - David M. Siroonian, New York, NY - "Cruelty's Breeding Ground"– The author wasn't afraid to use big words -- and use them quite well to spank the current educational system.
8th HM - Vicki Ward (editor), El Cerrito, CA - "Life Spices from Seasoned Sistahs"– Varied and lovely to read.
9th HM - Richard Harrison, Venice, FL - "Household Serengeti" – Classic look at all the shoes under the bed.
10th HM - Nedra Rogers, Lawrence, KS - "Mammalian" – Metaphorical separations among the different parts of a woman as she ages – with enough wit to cover all of them

POETRY
1st PLACE - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, MO - "Bridges and Doors" (traditional) – The intricate pattern of a sestina can be tricky to write, and the repetition of six words throughout the form can be, well, boring to read. This poem, however, maintains reader interest, keeps in step with the traditional pattern, and side-steps pitfalls by letting solid, one-syllable words carry the poem's weight. A couple of those initial end-line words also work well as both verbs and nouns, increasing the versatility of this conversational, engaging, and well-formed poem.
2nd PLACE - Donna Vincenti, Moscow, ID - "Advice" (free verse) – Strong visual interest and a commanding second-person viewpoint draws "you," the reader into lines leading toward the future, through the past, and into the now of a beautifully concise and lyrical poem.
3rd PLACE - Aletta Ellicott Dreller, Gulfport, FL - "The Square Peg" (free verse) – This metaphorical poem exercises the poetic ability to take a square peg and use that cliché to shape insightful lines with edgy humor and fresh comparisons most readers can envision, relate to, and enjoy.
1st HM - Barbara Florio Graham, Gatineau, Quebec - "Everything You Need to Know" (free verse) – Brevity and amazing simplicity elevate these highly visual lines into a highly memorable poem.
2nd HM - Graal Braun, St. Petersburg, FL - "The Old Floridian Non-Conformist" (traditional) – Has a lively pace and a humorous ending that make these rhymed quatrains a fun read.
3rd HM - Donna Vincenti, Moscow, ID - "Without Knowing" (free verse) – Insight, irony, and dry wit lift keen observations into a fresh view of a familiar scene.
4th HM - Nedra Rogers, Lawrence, KS - "China" (free verse) – Readers can dig into this well-written account of a childhood memory many readers have experienced in exploring the unknown.
5th HM - Dorothy K. Fletcher, Jacksonville, FL - "Summer Memory" (free verse) – Sensory description and a poignant ending entice readers into this well-written personal narrative.
6th HM - Sandy Fink, Dowling Park, FL - "Picking the Bones" (free verse) – Personification, simile, and word plays add reader interest to these lyrical lines.
7th HM - Joan Weiner, Asheville, NC - "Picking Stones" (free verse) – Picks visual appeal, apt phrases, and soft assonance to uplift the lyrical lines like a prayer.
8th HM - Graal Braun, St. Petersburg, FL - "Courtship" (free verse) – Meets its match with consistently clever metaphors turning and returning the lines.

2005 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Ahnalee Brincks, Milwaukee, WI - "Fields" - Excellent blend of narrative & dialogue; exceptionally well-written; descriptions and character's emotions run hand-in-hand; superb; great imagination.
2nd  PLACE - Gary Waid, Titusville, FL - "The Manta Ray" - Great story; well written; writer gets to heart of character.
3rd  PLACE - Daniel Charles Mussatti, Jericho, VT - "Once Upon A Midnight" - Innovative storyline; very well done.
1st  HM - Deborah Sharp, Fort Lauderdale, FL - "The Window" - Well written; creative story.
2nd HM - Linda Lamarr, Trinity, FL - "Call me Deputy" - Fun approach from the dog's view; well written; good characters & description.
3rd HM - Karen L. Laugel, M.D., Woodbridge, CT - "Mother's Choice" - Good; writer tells a moving story – succinctly but creatively.
4th HM - Matthew Boedy, Aiken, SC - "The G.I.'s Bill" - Very good; characterization very good.
5th HM - Karen L. Laugel, M.D., Woodbridge, CT - "Doors" -
6th HM - Karen L. Laugel, M.D., Woodbridge, CT - "Dirt Behind the Door"
7th HM - Linda Lamarr, Trinity, FL - "Who Owns DIXIE?"
8th HM - Laura Loomis, Pittsburg, CA - "The Marrying Kind"
9th HM - Anne Warren Smith, Corvallis, OR - "I See Her So Beautiful"
10th HM - Morton M. Rumberg, Gold River, CA - "In the Beginning …"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Joseph J. Bakewell, Boxford, MA - "Will's War" - Chapter One - Author takes reader right into Will's mind; exceptionally well-written; outstanding storyline; flows very well; nothing awkward; writer seems talented & knows how to project.
2nd PLACE - Bobbye Terry & Linda Campbell writing as Terry Campbell, Lorenzo, TX - "Days of Future Past" - Chapter One - Very well written; innovative storyline; flows well; interesting characters; narrative interspersed well with dialogue.
3rd PLACE - T. L. Buss, Havre, MT - "River House" - Chapter One - Good narrative; well thought out & well-written - Creative storyline; good narrative; well thought out & well written.
1st HM - Gil Gunton, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON - "What Does the Song-and-Dance Man Do When the Music Stops?" - Chapter 1 - Different, creative storyline; good descriptions & characters.
2nd HM - Wendy Koenig, New Sweden, ME - "Under Twin Suns" - Chapter 2 - Intriguing storyline; outstanding descriptions; good set-up.
3rd HM - Joyce Milne D'Auria, Palm Harbor, FL - "The Clearance" from "Rannoch Moor" - Interesting storyline & characters; has potential, as narrative & dialogue are good.
4th HM - T. J. Perkins, Reisterstown, MD - "Image in the Tapestry" - Chapter 8: "The Visit" - Premise is good.
5th HM - S. E. Sundberg, Jacksonville, FL - "Sokorri's Operator" - Chapter One - Reader feels Mary-Beth's pain; narrative & dialogue good - also gut-wrenching; reader wonders how novel will play out.
6th HM - Linda Kimball & Mary Beth Sloan, Pensacola Beach, FL - "Cara Mia" - Chapter 1 - Light reading but good
7th HM - Kris Williams, Edmonton, AB - "In the Best Interests of the Child"
8th HM - Randy Denmon, Monroe, LA - "Mexican Sun" - Chapter 1
9th HM - Peter Brown, Silver Spring, MD - "Ruthie Black" - Chapter 8: "Lookin' Down on Folk"

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Tina Twito, Burnside, IA - "Little Lessons" (traditional poem) - Each reading increases the pleasure of hearing this beautifully lyrical poem with its softly rhythmic beat. Easy-to-picture nouns, active verbs, and interesting syntax speak of oneness with nature, appropriately and very credibly, from a young child's perspective.
2nd PLACE - Denise Jordan, Augusta, KS - "A Gang of Meercats" (nonfiction article) - The intriguing opening of this unusual topic draws age-appropriate readers but informs adults too. Using varied sentence structure, this tightly written article makes its subject clear from the start then presents a bibliography to back up its obviously thorough research.
3rd PLACE - Jane B. Rawlings, Bernardsville, NJ - "The Stable Guests" (historical fiction) - This novel view of a 2000-year-old story maintains a tone in keeping with the era through skillful use of dialogue, detail, and poetic phrasing. Readers can identify with and look forward to reading this credible story again.
1st HM - Vicky Miller Livesay, Unicoi, TN - "An Extraordinary Fish" (short story) - A fresh view comes from being inside a goldfish tank peering into a schoolroom in this well-written story.
2nd HM - Heidi Derks-Rehmann, Spruce, MI - "Teamwork" (short story) - Credible dialogue and tight writing in this short story.
3rd HM - Suzanne Cohen, West Palm Beach, FL - "A Lesson in Ecology" (picture book) - Lively presentation of information.
4th HM - Margaret Montgomery, San Jose, CA - "Good Morning, God" (traditional verse picture book) - Inventive questions.
5th HM - Rhonda Dotson, Clintwood, VA - "The Tree Fox" (nonfiction article) - Interesting and informative.
6th HM - Katia Novet Saint-Lot, Hyderabad, India - "Dad's Traditional Wedding" (short story) - Intriguing view of another culture.
7th HM - Dale Ibitz, New Hartford, CT - "Last Moon Rising" (book chapter) - Fast pace and lively action; imaginative.
8th HM - Crystal Mandell, Placentia, CA - "The Dragon Crept Closer" (picture book) - Humor, alliterative fun, and a twist to end the story.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Lones Seiber, Knoxville, TN - "The Battle of Athens" - Wonderful telling of a brief but shining moment of our heritage of which too few Americans are aware.
2nd PLACE - Anne Warren Smith, Corvallis, OR - "In the Tradition of Tulips" - The protagonist's genuine reactions and honest feelings keep the readers with her, no matter how they feel about "the issue," and earn tender tears for a daughter at the end.
3rd PLACE - Michelle Elk, Oroville, CA - "People Like Us" - You took us some place we haven't been, which a writer rarely really does, just as you have come out of the darkness and led others out. You have an amazing gift. Please keep building bridges.
1st HM - Judith Bergen, Austin, MN - "The Healing Energy of a Prairie Farmhouse" - Walter's farmhouse burned, but you built it back inside all of us, immortal, and inseparable from the thoughtful meaning you spoke for it – for a Walterness that was uniquely of the house.
2nd HM - Joni M. Fisher, Auburndale, FL - "Small Town Thrills" - Masterful in the satisfying way you played each detail, like the grease stain on smirkey David's chinos and the accusing look on your husband's face.
3rd HM - Tracy Koretsky, Berkeley, CA - "The Intentional Ellipses: Haiku and its Relationship to Space"
4th HM - Kimberly Button, Lake Lure, NC - "The Secret Sandburg" - Nice glimpse at the life of this woman and her goats. Good job following the budgetary restraints of the Park Service keeping up the exhibit.
5th HM - William Huhn, New York, NY - "The Listener" - Bringing your great teacher back to life brings back our own. Great metaphorical imagery, such as starting in front of a small cathedral.
6th HM - Joni M. Fisher, Auburndale, FL - "Damn Yankees and Other Pests" - Glad you make lemonade of life so artfully. (Or orange juice, rather.)
7th HM - Jackie Papandrew, Largo, FL - "Countering Conflict with Compassion" - You told how to raise children with more understanding toward others in a way that's easy to pick up and use right away.
8th HM - Gary Burchfield, Lincoln, NE - "Comfort Zone" - A very comfortable introduction to professional lawn munchers and the changes that have made these machines better for the human body in recent years. Details such as the lowered platform were great.
9th HM - Julie Sturgeon, Greenwood, IN - "Dialing for Dollars" - This article on phone handling is great for both its text and graded sidebar for what ambushed salons did right and wrong.
10th HM - Sherrie Klayton, Colorado Springs, CO - "Preventing Quack-Ups at McCarter's Pond" - Forgave you the puns. It was a good story. :)

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Jan Sherbin, Cincinnati, OH - "Lydia's Story: An Oath to Avenge" - You gave us an unforgettable young woman.
2nd PLACE - Anne Archer, Portland, OR - "Puppy Love" - You struck right at this reader's heart. I want to reach out and make sure you're making it. Get published if you're not. People need to hear you tell your story exactly this way.
3rd PLACE - Mark Rast, Franklin, MA - "See The Attendant" - The first time I read through, I noted where I snorted with laughter. On subsequent readings, they just became "stage directions," because I did it every time. Sorry for your misfortune, but you are an incredibly gifted comedy writer with outstanding timing.
1st HM - Linda Chubbuck, West Palm Beach, FL - "Look Again" - Beautifully paced, revealing of surprises down to the last insight.
2nd HM - Audrey K. Wendland, Niceville, FL - "The Viking Battalion" - Great presentation of a story that most Americans don't know.
3rd HM - Ron Chepesiuk, Rock Hill, SC - "Mr. Untouchable" - This chapter from Gangsters of Harlem represents tremendous research and professional writing skill.
4th HM - Anne Warren Smith, Corvallis, OR - "Dog Days of Love" - Wonderful in its succinctness: Behaviors act as a shorthand for storylines or drawn out dialog: "In a fury, I drove the vacuum cleaner from room to room."
5th HM - Mary Beth Sloan, Pensacola Beach, FL - "Seven Things My Dog Taught Me After Hurricane Ivan" - Few people are wise enough to take life lessons from their pets, then pass them on to readers.
6th HM - Sherrie Klayton, Colorado Springs, CO - "No Name Was Good Enough" - So engrossing, I forgot the title until it was lobbed in like a bomb…
7th HM - Pati Anderson, Apopka, FL - "The Day the Septic Tank Stood Still" - You have a gift for retrieving the ridiculous from all around you and raising it to art.
8th HM - Diana M. Raab, Maitland, FL - "Watch This: How Hypnosis Helped Me" - Great continuity as the protagonist passes on what she learns as a college student to her daughter in adulthood, after the daughter suffers unfortunate childhood trauma.
9th HM - J. Tracksler, Kittery Point, ME - "Offal, Offal" - Strong imagery.
10th HM - Juliet R. Morse Aucreman, San Clemente, CA - "Shell Shock" - Great way of building to your point.

POETRY
1st PLACE - Nedra Rogers, Lawrence, KS - "Dog Time" (free verse) - Keen observation, insightful phrases, and nicely defined visuals take readers on a well-cadenced walk. With the dog and dry humor on skillfully leashed lines, the poem plays with connotations, lightly guiding each word through a surprisingly weighty theme.
2nd PLACE - Terry Donovan Urekew, Brighton, MA - "Letter To My Son At War" (free verse) - Vivid descriptions and sensory details elevate this powerful poem from the personal to the universal. Readers can relate to the haunting question asked as a loved one faces danger, "Will I know?"
3rd PLACE - Don Shockey, Oklahoma City, OK - "Of Hands and River Rock" (free verse) - Lyrical thoughts skip like stones across the water with beautiful description, an unusual angle, and fresh phrases that beckon readers to read this insightful poem again and again.
1st HM - Graal Braun, St. Petersburg, FL - "Another Shot at Argument from Design" (sonnet) - An abba rhyme scheme fittingly leads readers to the volta (turning point) of ironic humor with skillful use of enjambment and interesting information in tightly-written lines.
2nd HM - Rebecca Stahl, Port Charlotte, FL - "Living With Pomes" (free verse) - Sharp insight, clever comparisons, novel view.
3rd HM - Bonnie M. Hennessy, Long Beach, NY - "NoW" (free verse) - Dry humor, appropriately active verbs, an unusual refrain.
4th HM - Donna Snow, Cape Coral, FL - "The Mad Wife" (free verse) - Musicality, effective comparisons, fresh phrases.
5th HM - Nedra Rogers, Lawrence, KS - "Refugee Camp" (free verse) - Tight writing, ironic insight, colorful phrasing.
6th HM - Sandy Fink, Dowling Park, FL - "Cellular Communication" (free verse) - Word plays and interesting connections.
7th HM - Claude Blackwood, Memphis, TN - "Nude Dancers" (traditional) - Apt comparison, rhythmic beat, humorous ending.
8th HM - Charles Robert Salter, Las Vegas, NV - "Again Slips the Hour" (traditional) - Lyrical, turning readers to another reading.

2004 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Timothy G. Sebastian, Hunstville, AL - "Last Light of Hope"
2nd  PLACE - Patricia Randall, Newton, KS - "It's Harder Than It Looks"
3rd  PLACE - Jean Cottrell Pence, Sun City Center, FL - "Shifting Attitudes"
1st  HM - Pete Davies, Sun City, AZ - "Time Lapse"
2nd HM - Linda Lamarr, Trinity, FL - "A Sleuth Called Brandy"
3rd HM - Kim Kolarich, Chicago, IL - "The American Sandals"
4th HM - Kathleen O'Connor, Sun City Center, FL - "Nothing Like Me"
5th HM - Mary Kay McAllister, Juno Beach, FL - "The Last Word"
6th HM - Norma Von Deck, Delray Beach, FL - "Family Matters"
7th HM - W. David MacKenzie, Seattle, WA - "Cool City Limit"
8th HM - Janet Paszkowski, Alpharetta, GA - "The Scan Man"
9th HM - Gloria Rosenthal, Valley Stream, NY - "Suite Dream"
10th HM - Sandia Schlotzhauer, Chapel Hill, NC - "Children Know"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Myra Nagel, Punta Gorda, FL - "Chapter One" - The Window
2nd PLACE - M. G. M. Duff, Aurora, CO - "Chapter 2" - The Kidnapping of Abraham Lincoln
3rd PLACE - J. Tracksler, Kittery Point, ME - "Chapter One" - Deceit
1st HM - Julia L. Simpson, Sacramento, CA - "Chapter 1" - Murder at Chateau Mont-Rose
2nd HM - Charity Tahmaseb, Minnetonka, MN - "Chapter 1" - Cold Comfort
3rd HM - Myra Nagel, Punta Gorda, FL - "Chapter Twenty" - The Window
4th HM - Mary Kappelt Skol, Erie, PA - "Chapter 1" - Tooth for a Tooth
5th HM - Mary Kappelt Skol, Erie, PA - "Chapter 1: Gloria" - Bad Apple
6th HM - N. E. Chapman, Oklahoma City, OK - "Chapter 16" - A Magical Journey
7th HM - Tracy Koretsky, Berkeley, CA - "Floating from Chagall" - Ropeless (The book this chapter was taken from is available at www.readropeless.com.)
8th HM - Phylis Warady, Grass Valley, CA - "Chapter One" - Treasures of the Heart
9th HM - Johnny Armstrong, Ruston, LA - "Chapter 1" - Homeward Goes the River
10th HM - Joseph E. Shevlin, Jr., Plymouth, MI - "Chapter 1: Beginnings" - Restless Yellowstone - Restless Planet

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Richelle Putnam, Meridian, MS - "You Are My Sunshine" (novel chapter)
2nd PLACE - Paula Melillo, Hamden, CT - "It's Lou the Legendary Gnu!" (short story in verse)
3rd PLACE - Elizabeth S. Wall, Sarasota, FL - "Can You Keep a Secret: A Tale of Hawaii" (short story folk tale)
1st HM - Sharon Whitehill, Coopersville, MI - "Thanks To Our Vulturine Friends" (nonfiction article)
2nd HM - Cris Staubach, Niantic, CT - "Baby Seal Is Safe" (story poem)
3rd HM - Patti Street & Sam Cole, Fort White, FL - "Tucky" (short story)
4th HM - Ann O'Brien Treacy, Duluth, MN - "Ever This Land" (novel chapter)
5th HM - June Estep Fiorelli, Sarasota, FL - "Announcement: Social Studies Test Tomorrow" (humor poem)
6th HM - Marci Stillerman, Rancho Mirage, CA - "Would You Love Me If I Smelled Bad?" (humor poem)
7th HM - Elizabeth S. Wall, Sarasota, FL - "I Wish To Be A Painter … So Very Much" (nonfiction article)
8th HM - Jim Malloy, New Fairfield, CT - "The Look Cookers" (short story)

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA - "Rebel With A Cause" - Tennis Week
2nd PLACE - Mark Rast, Franklin, MA - "Squanderlust" - The Homesteader
3rd PLACE - Ron Chepesiuk, Rock Hill, SC - "Exit the Señor" - Chapter 14, The Bullet or the Bribe
1st HM - Marcia Aaby, Fridley, MN - "Anniversaries from Another Life" - MN Women's Press
2nd HM - Dr. Rob Norman, Tampa, FL - "Can You Take It Out Now?" - Discover
3rd HM - John McCafferty, Venice, FL - "Salisbury Sister Wages War on Poverty"- The Dialog
4th HM - Kelly James-Enger, Downers Grove, IL - "Kids' Work" - Continental
5th HM - Karen Fritscher-Porter, Bloomingdale, GA - "Getting Wise 2 Cons" - OfficePRO
6th HM - Kelly James-Enger, Downers Grove, IL - "Medical Intervention Takes Fun Out of Getting Pregnant" - Chicago Tribune
7th HM - Mark Rast, Franklin, MA - "Gifts For Guys" - The Homesteader
8th HM - Mark Rast, Franklin, MA - "Brrrrr!" - The Homesteader
9th HM - William M. Holden, Fair Oaks, CA - "Secret of the Seychelles" - Boston Sunday Herald
10th HM - William Huhn, New York, NY - "Fiddler's Green" - Fugue #26

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Diana M. Raab, Maitland, FL - "Chapter 1: New York, 1964" - Regina's Closet
2nd PLACE - Ron Chepesiuk, Rock Hill, SC - "Prologue" - The Queen of Illegality–A Beachhead for the Axis
3rd PLACE - Barbara J. McCarren, Navarre, FL - "The Gift"
1st HM - Kathleen Vestal Logan, Gulf Breeze, FL - "Working Grief"
2nd HM - Louise M. Westenfield, Ozona, FL - "Rainbows"
3rd HM - Ken Fraundorf, Corvallis, OR - "Rock And Rollin'"
4th HM - Maria Ortiz, Tampa, FL - "Driftin' on a Key West Memory" - Chapter 2, The Hoods
5th HM - Deborah Sharp, Fort Lauderdale, FL - "Ring of Fire"
6th HM - Dominic A. Perenzin, Miami, FL - "The Wink" - a chapter from The Wines of October
7th HM - Bobbye R. Terry, Lorenzo, TX - "Orchids of the Gem World"
8th HM - Greg Schwartz, Ellicott City, MD - "High Noon in a College Dorm"
9th HM - William Huhn, New York, NY - "The Melodious Wind"
10th HM - Cody Grant, San Diego, CA - "Charley's Choice"

POETRY
1st PLACE - Louise Westenfield, Ozona, FL - "Tidings" (free verse)
2nd PLACE - Betsy Humphreys, Granite Falls, NC - "That Burning Sensation" (free verse)
3rd PLACE - Graal Braun, Palm Harbor, FL - "Sex Education" (sonnet, traditional)
1st HM - David-Matthew Barnes, McDonough, GA - "Caution" (free verse)
2nd HM - Edward Wright Haile, Champlain, VA - "The Golden Bowwow" (free verse)
3rd HM - Edward Davison, Pine Mountain Club, CA - "Introspectra" (traditional)
4th HM - Mary Grace Costa, Nashua, NH - "The Gift" (free verse)
5th HM - Anita Hunter, Camarillo, CA - "Frijoles Canyon, New Mexico" (free verse)
6th HM - Gretchen Fletcher, Fort Lauderdale, FL - "To a Student Who Persists in Running in the Halls" (blank verse sonnet, traditional)
7th HM - Joshua Gage, Pepper Pike, OH - "Ghazal" (traditional)
8th HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, MO - "It's Elementary" (humorous verse, traditional)
9th HM - Gretchen Fletcher, Fort Lauderdale, FL - "Poets Building Fires" (free verse)
10th HM - Charles Savage, M.D., Sherwood Forest, MD - "The Yellow Bird" (free verse)

2003 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition - WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Maureen Rumsey, Nevada City, CA - "The Right Thing To Do"
2nd  PLACE - Carolyn B. Healy, Hinsdale, IL - "Sarah"
3rd  PLACE - Morgan G. Howell, Georgetown, SC - "Moonwalking"
1st  HM - Praveen Asthana, San Jose, CA - "The Edges of Comfort"
2nd HM - Gloria Rosenthal, Valley Stream, NY - "Head in the Clouds"
3rd HM - Charity Tahmaseb, Minnetonka, MN - "Elvis Has Left the Building"
4th HM - Praveen Asthana, San Jose, CA - "The Sweetness of Life"
5th HM - Vera Searles, St. Petersburg, FL - "Mr. Zyll"
6th HM - Praveen Asthana, San Jose, CA - "Homeland Defense"
7th HM - Michelle Giles, Neptune, NJ - "Superstitious"
8th HM - Amy Weggeland, Columbia Falls, MT - "Night in her Diamond Dress"
9th HM - Denis Patrick O'Connor, Lutz, FL - "Go Away Little Girl"
10th HM - Linda Chubbuck, West Palm Beach, FL - "The Tenth Time"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Evan H. McNamara, Lee's Summit, MO - "Superior Position" Note: We received notice in May 2004 that "Superior Position" has been sold to a publisher, plus is being made into an audiobook by Blackstone Audio.
2nd PLACE - Clara Orban, Chicago, IL - "Terra Firma" - published September 2006
3rd PLACE - C. B. Anderson, Lexington, MA - "Traces"
1st HM - Charity Tahmaseb, Minnetonka, MN - "India Charlie"
2nd HM - Katherine Toy Miller, Tallahassee, FL - Unlikely Heroes - Part One - "Pioneers"
3rd HM - Laura Loomis, Pittsburg, CA - "Best Interests"
4th HM - Mary Beth Sloan, Pensacola Beach, FL - Surf and Sand - Chapter 1 - "Joe"
5th HM - Maureen Cain, Clearwater, FL - "Wounded Heart Savaged Soul"
6th HM - Tena Loveland Russ, Glencoe, IL - "Cooking Lessons"
7th HM - John Moreland, Portland, OR - "Bad Faith"
8th HM - Alma H. Bond, Bal Harbour, FL - "The Autobiography of Camille Claudel, a Novel"
9th HM - Paul Perry, San Antonio, TX - "A Room in Ueno," Chapter 3
10th HM - Linda Hudson Hoagland, North Tazewell, VA - "Watch Out For Eddy"

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Robert A. Norman, Tampa, FL - "Be Careful"
2nd PLACE - Dotti Enderle, Richmond, TX - "Hidden"
3rd PLACE - June Estep Fiorelli, Sarasota, FL - "The Teacher Always Picks On Me"
1st HM - Anne Bryan Westrick, Mechanicsville, VA - "Honey Hunting"
2nd HM - Patti Zelch, Oakland Park, FL - "Well Done, Patrick!"
3rd HM - Marci Stillerman, Rancho Mirage, CA - "Mud"
4th HM - Tyler Kimball, Bozeman, MT - "The Junk Machine"
5th HM - Brigitte Cornett, Hamilton, OH - "A Lady's Spine"
6th HM - Anita Hunter, Camarillo, CA - Life Is an Adventure, Chapter 1 - "Detour"

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Robert A. Norman, Tampa, FL - "Numbness of the Arm"
2nd PLACE - Walt Stromer. Mt. Vernon, IA - "A Tangled World"
3rd PLACE - Gary F. Burchfield, Lincoln, NE - "Get the Dirt on Sampling"
1st HM - Kelly James-Enger, Downers Grove, IL - "Is Stress Making You Fat?"
2nd HM - Julie Sturgeon, Greenwood, IN - "Improve Your Verbal IQ"
3rd HM - John McCafferty, Venice, FL - "Jimmy's Town Surprises"
4th HM - Julie Sturgeon, Greenwood, IN - "Birth of an Agent"
5th HM - Thomas J. Purcell, Saline, MI - "Enhancing Electronic Communications Between Team Members"
6th HM - Latayne C. Scott, Albuquerque, NM - "Introduction" from The Red Cord of Hope
7th HM - Mali R. Schantz-Feld, Seminole, FL - "DNA Promotion Boosts Alabama Center's Event"
8th HM - William Childress, Folsom, CA - "Love That Computer!"
9th HM - Jeanne Sandberg Fuller, Seminole, FL - "We'll Never Forget Cousa, the Swedish Cow"
10th HM - Laurie Glieco, Buffalo, NY - "Missing Library Book Taints Spotless Record"

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Ingeborg Gubler Casey, Madison, WI - "Hiding"
2nd PLACE - Anita Hunter, Camarillo, CA - "The Fire That Changed an Industry"
3rd PLACE - John McCafferty, Venice, FL - "Copy Boy"
1st HM - Charlotte Colby Andersen, St. Petersburg, FL - "Baseball & 'The Babe' - A Peach of a Predicament"
2nd HM - Elizabeth Marshall, Toronto, ON - "Bears, Bears and More Bears"
3rd HM - Julie Sturgeon, Greenwood, IN - Ostrich – It's What's for Dinner?"
4th HM - Alma H. Bond, Bal Harbour, FL - "Deborah Sampson: America's First Woman Soldier"
5th HM - Mary Beth Sloan, Pensacola Beach, FL - "The Journal of Ra'bia Kazal"
6th HM - Robert A. Norman, Tampa, FL - "Apollo's Legacy"
7th HM - Robert Schwarz, South Palm Beach, FL - "A Hole in the Ground"
8th HM - Robert Schwarz, South Palm Beach, FL - "Grandfather's Last Treat"
9th HM - Mary Beth Sloan, Pensacola Beach, FL - "Book Groups: How To Keep Them Healthy"
10th HM - Ruth Hebel-Patrauskas, Oakville, CT - "Journey To a New Life" - Chapter

POETRY
1st PLACE - Beth Young, Sag Harbor, NY - "State of the Union 01/28/03"
2nd PLACE - Kay Day, Jacksonville, FL - "In the Company of Sisters"
3rd PLACE - Sandy Fink, Chiefland, FL - "Songs"
1st HM - L. M. Westenfield, Ozona, FL - "Sestina: Yardage"
2nd HM - Stephen Brooke, Steinhatchee, FL - "Interstates"
3rd HM - Ruan Bradford Wright, Bolingbrook, IL - "Sparrow"
4th HM - Sandra Lake Lassen, West Jefferson, NC - "Fish Camp With Ferlinghetti"
5th HM - Beth Young, Sag Harbor, NY - "Michael"
6th HM - James Saint Cloud, San Rafael, CA - "White Envelopes"
 

2002 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition
WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Paul Perry, San Antonio, Texas - "A Second Chance"
2nd  PLACE - Joseph Straub, Orlando, Florida - "Reckoning"
3rd  PLACE - Barbara Jacksha, Santa Fe, New Mexico - "Rock People"
1st  HM - Cindy L. Turner, Tamp, Florida - "Scavengers"
2nd HM - Joyce Holland, Fort Walton Beach, Florida - "Eva's Eyes"
3rd HM - Sandra Lake Lassen, West Jefferson, North Carolina - "Tidemark"
4th HM - Joseph Straub, Orlando, Florida - "Grim Reaper"
5th HM - Michelle Giles, Neptune, New Jersey - "The Pink Floyd Song"
6th HM - Geraldine Bass, Olathe, Kansas - "What Next?"
7th HM - K. M. Lang, Chandler, Arizona - Ria's Bed"
8th HM - Charity Tahmaseb, Minnetonka, Minnesota - "The Ring Knocker"
9th HM - Douglas Roland, Tampa, Florida - "Last Class of the Day"
10th HM - Cindy L. Turner, Tampa, Florida - "Ties That Bind"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Joyce Holland, Fort Walton Beach, Florida - "Murder by Design: Chapter One"
2nd PLACE - Elizabeth Marshall, St. Petersburg, Florida - "Tales From a Fire Hall: Chapter Five"
3rd PLACE - Maris Soule, Kalamazoo, Michigan - "Showtime: Chapter One"
1st HM - Veronica McCann, Graham, Washington - "Let My Enemy Pursue Me: Chapter 8"
2nd HM - Susan Franks, Chicago, Illinois - "Back To Camelot"
3rd HM - Judith Sklar, Palm Coast, Florida - "Phoenix on the Mountain: Chapter One"
4th HM - Elizabeth Marshall, St. Petersburg, Florida - "Tales From a Firehall: Chapter Four"
5th HM - John Moreland, Portland, Oregon - "The Grove: Chapter One"
6th HM - Alma Bond, Bal Harbour, Florida - "The Autobiography of Camille Claudel, a Novel"
7th HM - Kathleen Clemons, St. Augustine, Florida - "Mean Streak: Chapter 5"
8th HM - Phyllis Ann Warady, Grass Valley, California - "Lord Royston's Redemption: Chapter One"
9th HM - Richelle Putnam, Meridian, Mississippi, "Sons of Segbert, Brothers of Wessex: Chapter One"
10th HM - James Cary, Boynton Beach, Fla. - "Seeds: Search for the Descendants of Christ: Chapter XX"

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Dotti Enderle, Richmond, Texas - "Jesse and the Fence-Cutters"
2nd PLACE - Sharon Whitehill, Coopersville, Michigan - "Watch Out, Miss Muffet!"
3rd PLACE - Joyce Holland, Fort Walton Beach, Florida - "The Magic Bird"
1st HM - Meghan Mazour, Taos, New Mexico - "Nannie and Annie Time"
2nd HM - Jane Kenny, Jacksonville, Florida - "Friendly Giants In The Desert"
3rd HM - Jenifer Tull-Gauger, Mesa, Arizona - "Born Ninja"
4th HM - Sharon Whitehill, Coopersville, Michigan - "The Yarn Lady's Gifts"
5th HM - Joan Whetzel, Katy, Texas - "Run For The White House"
6th HM - Debra Katz, Tallahassee, Florida - "The Tooth Fairy And The Sandman"
7th HM - Susie Phillips, Fort Walton Beach, Florida - "My Daddy Goes TDY"

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Joan Hustace Walker, Chesapeake, VA - "The Healthy Agility Dog" - Training for Agility
2nd PLACE - Joan Hustace Walker, Chesapeake, VA - "Master of All Tasks"- Rottweilers/Popular Dog Series
3rd PLACE - Barbara C. Thompson, Hernando, FL - "Forgotten Daughter: The 130 Year Silence" - Ancestry
1st HM - Sig Mejdal, Sunnydale, CA - "Climbing the Stairway to Heaven" - Los Angeles Times: Travel
2nd HM -Tom Jenkins, Englewood, CO - "Twelve Minutes to Doom" - Colorado Mature Lifestyles
3rd HM - Joan Hustace Walker, Chesapeake, VA - "The World Trade Center Attacks" - Whole Cat Journal
4th HM - Mali Schantz-Feld, Seminole, FL - "Outlet Centers Say Bienvenidos to Hispanic-American Customers" - Value Retail News
5th HM - Tom Rose, Altonna, FL - "Search for the Fountain of Youth" - Rider
6th HM - Gloria Rosenthal, Valley Stream, NY - "But You Don't Look Sick …" - Woman's Day
7th HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA - "Portraits of the Stars" - Tennis Confidential: Today's Greatest Players, Matches and Controversies
8th HM - Joan Hustace Walker, Chesapeake, VA - "Bullies Not Welcome Here" - AARP Modern Maturity
9th HM - A. C. Hall, Seattle, WA - "The Nice Jewish Boy"- Yentyl's Revenge: The Next Wave of Jewish Feminism
10th HM -Gretchen Fletcher, Fort Lauderdale, FL - "A Dress for the Occasion" - Sunshine

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Debra Wood, Orlando, Florida - "Life Review: Everyone has a Life Story"
2nd PLACE - Richard Richardson, Pittsboro, North Carolina - "Members Only"
3rd PLACE - Adele Woodyard, Tampa, Florida - "Saving Maine's Wild Things"
1st HM - Barbara C. Thompson, Hernando, Florida - "Music, Mentally Speaking"
2nd HM - Eleanor Eckardt, Boca Raton, Florida - "A Taste of Love"
3rd HM - John Merchant, Newburgh, New York - "Men of Steel"
4th HM - John McCafferty, Venice, Florida - "Cross Creek"
5th HM - Debra Wood, Orlando, Florida - "What's going on with Mommy?"
6th HM - Jeff Corydon, Lutz, Florida - "Something Old, Something New"
7th HM - Geraldine Bass, Olathe, Kansas - "Finding Jessie"
8th HM - Debra Wood, Orlando, Florida - "It Only Takes an Instant"
9th HM - Gretchen Fletcher, Fort Lauderdale, Florida - "Speaking of Unmentionables"
10th HM - Margaret Montgomery, San Jose, California - "Reflections on Christmas"

POETRY
1st PLACE - Mary Ellen Lukasiewicz, Cumberland, Rhode Island - "The Brightest and the Best"
2nd PLACE - Eryn Huntington, Bellevue, Washington - "Rapunzel's Request"
3rd PLACE - Louise Westenfield, Ozena, Florida - "Temples"
1st HM - Michael Eaton, Austin, Texas - "Odes To Chickens"
2nd HM - Charlotte C. Andersen, St. Petersburg, Florida - "To The Nineteen Children"
3rd HM - KiKi Schaller, Plantation, Florida - "CityPlace"
4th HM - Charlotte C. Andersen, St. Petersburg, Florida - "Forecasting"
5th HM - Liza Gabriel, Cotati, California - "Sacred Architecture"
6th HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, Missouri - "Sands of Time"
7th HM - Jennifer McGee, Bloomington, Minnesota - "Scattered"
8th HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, Missouri - "Recollections"
9th HM - Lance Young, Pensacola, Florida - "My Life on the Edge"
10th HM - Sandy Fink, Chiefland, Florida - "Redemptions"

2001 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition
 WINNERS
(HM = Honorable Mention)

SHORT STORY - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Kathryn Umbarger, Burbank, WA - "The Last Best Gift"
2nd  PLACE - Michelle Giles, Bradley Beach, NJ - "Whispers of Love"
3rd  PLACE - Bradley Silvius, Ypsilanti, MI - "Winter of Hope's Discourse"
1st  HM - C. Lill Ahrens, Corvallis, OR - "The Negotiated Chicken"
2nd HM - Timothy Agnew, Sarasota, FL - "Thing"
3rd HM - Christine Phillips, Dallas, TX - "The Eye of the Storm"
4th HM - Fran Kaplan, Rancho Mirage, CA - "How to Hate Someone You Love"
5th HM - Justin Gustainis, Plattsburgh, NY - "Bargain"
6th HM - Jeffery Hess, Tampa, FL - "Vikings at Heart"
7th HM - Melissa Russell, Grand Prairie, TX - "The Inn"
8th HM - Jeffrey Wallace, Trabuco Canyon, CA - "Wordsmith"
9th HM - Timothy Juhl, Dunedin, FL - "The Things You Hear"
10th HM - Charles McDermott, Edgewood, MD - "My Waist"

NOVEL CHAPTER - UNPUBLISHED
1st PLACE - Debra Tash, Somis, CA - "Challenge the Wind"
2nd PLACE - Charity Tahmaseb, Minnetonka, MN - "False Impressions"
3rd PLACE - K. M. Lang, Chandler, AZ - "The Hunter - Chapter 1"
1st HM - Christine Phillips, Dallas, TX - "Tortilla Chip"
2nd HM - Kathleen Clemons, St. Augustine, FL - "Whispers From the Leaves"
3rd HM - Marilyn Shaff, Boca Raton, FL - "Had They Lived - Chapter 5"
4th HM - Maris Soule, Kalamazoo, MI - "The Crows"
5th HM - Ruth Moon Kempher, St. Augustine, FL - "A Wedding at Ballymawr - Chapter Nine"
6th HM - Beth Proudfoot, San Jose, CA - "Escape From Paradise - Chapter One"
7th HM - Alexandra Walker Clark, St. Augustine, FL - "Memoirs of Dixie by Dixie Lee Mason - Chapter 7 - Sign of the Pagan"
8th HM - Donna Adair, Jupiter, FL - "a chapter of The Café Strangler"

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
1st PLACE - Ellaraine Lockie, Sunnyvale, CA - "Pickles, Pumpkins and Parents"
2nd PLACE - Kathryn Umbarger, Burbank, WA - "The Fire"
3rd PLACE - Megan Bilder, Bothell, WA - "Big Red"
1st HM - Laura Fairchild, Santa Monica, CA - "The Ocean Ghosts"
2nd HM - Cassandra Allen, Jackson, MI - "A Daughter's Prayer"
3rd HM - Margaret Montgomery, Yucaipa, CA - "All About Books"
4th HM - Carol O'Day, Los Angeles, CA - "Some Girls"

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1st PLACE - Mali Schantz-Feld, Seminole, FL - "You're Nobody 'til Some Bunny Loves You
2nd PLACE - Gary Burchfield, Lincoln, NE - "Evelyn Sharp: The pioneering teenage aviatrix who became a WWII hero"
3rd PLACE - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA - "Norman Conquest"
1st HM - Kathleen Wildasin, Lexington, KY - "That All-Important Query: A Novel Idea"
2nd HM - Joyce A. Hughes, Plant City, FL - "High-Rolling Family Fun"
3rd HM - Sol H. Marshall, Panorama City, CA - "Ten Seconds from … "
4th HM - Jeff Corydon, Lutz, FL - "The Lost Art: Labels of Belle Epoque"
5th HM - Kay Fernández, Ormond Beach, FL - "There She Is … Miss America"
6th HM - Gary Burchfield, Lincoln, NE - "The Big Step: Starting a Small-town Practice"
7th HM - Timothy Russell, Toronto, OH - "Carnival Rose"
8th HM - Kay Fernández, Ormond Beach, FL - "Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings at Cross Creek"
9th HM - Michele Newbern, Jacksonville Beach, FL - "Living the Dream"
10th HM - Kay Fernández, Ormond Beach, FL - "Is that Your Final Bid?"

UNPUBLISHED NONFICTION ARTICLE/ESSAY/BOOK CHAPTER
1ST PLACE - Eleanor Pari Eckardt, Boca Raton, FL - "Just a Common Man"
2nd PLACE - Debra Wood, Orlando, FL - "Holding the World in His Hands"
3rd PLACE - John McCafferty, Venice, FL - "Halfball"
1st HM - John McCafferty, Venice, FL - "Nuremberg Rebuilds Its Image"
2nd HM - Paul Fein, Agawam, MA - "Will Blacks Take Over Tennis?"
3rd HM - Debra Wood, Orlando, FL - "Soothing Soaks"
4th HM - Dorothy Miller, Cottondale, AL - "The Civil Rights Institute: A Personal Journey"
5th HM - Ken Fraundorf, Corvallis, OR - "Vandals in Fur Coats"
6th HM - Lois Avrick, Delray Beach, FL - "A Double Life"
7th HM - Kathleen Wildasin, Lexington, KY - "The Battle for Organs: Are Pigs the Answer?"
8th HM - Lance Young, Pensacola, FL - "Good Man, Good Friday"
9th HM - Sue Blue, Sarasota, FL - "Small Talk"
10th HM - John McCafferty, Venice, FL - "All Purpose Speech"

POETRY
1st PLACE - Carol O'Day, Los Angeles, CA - "Homesick"
2nd PLACE - Judith Wuarin, Geneva, Switzerland - "Chinas Girls"
3rd PLACE - Stephen Brooke, Steinhatchee, FL - "My Name"
1st HM - Carol MacAllister, Ocean Grove, NJ - "Subway Grate"
2nd HM - John Adams, Perth Amboy, NJ - "Choir Practice"
3rd HM - Dorothy Millner, Palm Beach, FL - "Lot's Wife"
4th HM - Tom Breckenridge, Canton, OH - "Lagan"
5th HM - Margaret Montgomery, Yucaipa, CA - "The Gardener's Hands"
6th HM - Lee Ann Russell, Springfield, MO - "Daddy"
7th HM - Sheila Meader, Gulfport, FL - "New England August
8th HM - Kathleen Claussen, Albuquerque, NM - "One Summer Night"
9th HM - Ellaraine Lockie, Sunnyvale, CA - "Home"
10th HM - Ellaraine Lockie, Sunnyvale, CA - "September 1942"
 

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