Our last meeting before the summer break features Pamela Johnson. She will talk about marketing fiction. Pamela is the author of Heart of a Pirate, a fictional story of 18th century Anne Bonny.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 6:30 PM
Madelyn Helling Library Community Room
980 Helling Way, Nevada City
Sierra Writers awarded five winners in its 11th Annual short story contest for young writers on Wednesday, May 11. These five read their winning entries aloud to friends and family and Sierra Writers members.
First, second, and third place included cash prizes of $150, $125, and $100 respectively along with gift certificates from The Book Seller. Honorable mentions received $75 each. All received palpable encouragement, a core reason why Sierra Writers sponsors this contest.
The young writers delivered beyond the words on paper, including engaging answers to interview questions and a satisfying mixture of seriousness and fun at the awards session.
Deciding who would win the top prize and who would turn up second was an especially close call for the four judges. In “Mother,” Kali Hardwick (age 17) captured decades of loving appreciation by mixing a tornado, an orchard, and memories of mom. She edged out Timothy Martinez (15). His “Legacy” wrapped some serious finger wagging around young warrior surviving in the bleakness of a not-too-distant future. John Alkire (15), not lacking serious substance, injected fun into his third place “Arnold the Angry Aardvark.”
Alison Dowd won for “Army Greens” and Monica Marsh won for “Was It Worth It.” Both 18 years old, they seemed pleased and honored with honorable mentions (and the cash). Sierra Writers and all gathered at the Madelyn Helling Library were pleased and honored to share the awards session.
Look for the 12th annual Young Writers Contest in March of 2012.
Sierra Writers will celebrate the winners of its 11th Annual short story contest for young writers on Wednesday, May 11. First prize is $150; second prize, $125 and third prize, $100. Honorable mentions take home cash, too. The annual contest is open to all teens aged 15-19 years old that either reside or attend school in Nevada County.
Here are the five finalists, their ages, and the titles of their stories:
John Alkire, 15, “Arnold the Angry Aardvark”; Alison Dowd, 18, “Army Greens”; Kali Hard-wick, 17, “Mother”; Monica Marsh, 18, “Was It Worth It”; Timothy Martinez, 15, “Legacy”
Congratulate these emerging writers at this free event, where the winners are asked to read their stories aloud.
Past winning stories have included topics that young people care about, including social issues and world events. The writing tone also has varied: dark, hopeful, humorous, sweet, irreverent, off-beat, controversial. This year’s finalist stories include various views of the world: one through ani-mal eyes; one from a military family; one from a loving daughter amidst a storm passing; one per-spective from the womb; and one from a projected reality in the future.
Sierra Writers takes pride in sponsoring this contest as a way to encourage Nevada County youth.
Friends and families of young authors, come to the Madelyn Helling Library Community Room May 11. Anyone who wants to see young local writers receiving some special attention should attend. It starts 6:30 PM.