Oregon Writers Colony

A Community of Writers

  • About
    • Colonyhouse
    • Using Colonyhouse
    • Colonygram
  • News
    • OWC News
    • Member News
    • Send Us Your Member News
      • New Member Book
      • New Member Event
      • New Member Award or Honor
  • Events
    • Calendar
  • Join or Renew
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / 2018 Writing Contest Winners

2018 Writing Contest Winners

Here are the winners of the 2018 OWC Writing Contest.

Nonfiction First Chapter

First Place, $200: Bush Bitch, by Joanna Loney

Final judge C.B. Bernard writes:

Bush Bitch: Declaring its intention and attitude right in the title, this chapter succeeds not in spite of its flaws but because of them. They lend authenticity and sincerity to the voice of a narrator who is defiantly unapologetic about her own scars, owning her aging body and the bittersweet accumulation of wisdom and experience that comes with having lived. In its celebration of the hard-earned pride of physical accomplishment, the language of the writing, the voice of the character, and the pace are all oars pulling in the same direction. They give this piece a liveliness and unpolished, frank honesty that propel it forward.

Second Place, $100: Dancing in Circles: An Expatriate in Cambodia, by Debra Groves Harman

Third Place, $50: The Interview, by Erin Stammer

First Honorable Mention: The Writer’s Crucible, by Philip Kenney

Honorable mentions, alphabetical:

  • The Hope Chest Year, by Kathryn Dysart
  • Tuned In: A Life in Radio, by William Cooper

Nonfiction Short Story

First Place, $200:The Island, by Kim K. McCrea

Final judge Kirsten Steen, writes:

The Island caught and held me with the perfect combination of informative yet lyrical, personal yet universal, which for writers can be and often is a mind-bendingly difficult task. While at first glance, it appears to be about place (with the Island mentioned in nearly every paragraph), it is really about people and story. Each recollection carried me effortlessly with a mix of beauty and tragedy. Not only did it take me through the author’s elegantly detailed memories but also down a parallel path of my own similar childhood recollections with slightly differing situations and surroundings. While place appears to be its own character, the author purposefully brings us full circle but with the realization that it is the characters of our lives, our past, our own history that truly last within us. Beautifully written. Congratulations!

Second Place, $100: Wedge, by Rosemary Lombard

Third Place: Smoke, $50, by Debra Groves Harman

First Honorable Mention: Modem Romance, by Samantha Waltz

No other honorable mentions this category

Fiction First Chapter

First Place, $200: That Bedsprings Guy, by Gary C. McAuley

Final judge Susan Clayton Goldner writes:

That Bedsprings Guy does everything an opening chapter should do. It raises story questions that the reader wants answered. It introduces a character with an interesting dilemma and a distinct voice. The prose is concise and well written. And the suspense keeps building as the scene progresses. It surprises the reader when the Bedsprings Guy buys drinks for the protagonist. We have a well-motivated character overcoming obstacles in pursuit of a goal. He wants to know if his wife is cheating on him. The stakes, his marriage, are high. This judge was disappointed when the piece ended. And it ended with a story question that made her want to read on to see what happens. This is an excellent piece of work. 

Second Place, $100: The Second Night, by Anastasia Bond

Third Place, $50: Blind Justice, by Michael Coolen

First Honorable Mention: The Hidden Abbey, by Jodine Turner

Honorable mentions, alphabetical:

  • Velocity Vora, by Madhuri Messenger
  • He is My Rival, by Sam Perrin
  • Bandstand for All Time, by Sharon E. Streeter

Fiction Short Story

First Place, $200: Superglue, by Jefferson Page

Final judge Ann Littlewood writes:

Superglue takes us into a troubled mind and shows how obsession can distort logic and compel actions that baffle and alarm onlookers. In calm, non-judgmental language, the author opens a window on a well-meaning, but seriously dysfunctional person. The protagonist’s desperate efforts to reduce his stress lead us deeper and deeper into dread as mental illness challenges a crucial relationship that seems sure to collapse. We expect disaster, but the final lines are a sweet surprise, a stubborn affirmation of hope. This is a clear-eyed, subtle, and compassionate exploration of a difficult disability and a difficult relationship. Well done!

Second Place, $100: The Meat King, by Jacob Maybe

Third Place, $50: Brenda, by Sara Truitt

First Honorable Mention: Dragon’s Haunt, by Elisabeth Flaum

Honorable mentions, alphabetical:

  • How Fatou Dabo Saved Her Village, by Michael Coolen
  • Hungry Like a Wolf, by Deni Starr
  • Abyss, by Jean Rover

Search this Site

Upcoming Events

Champaign

2021 Writing Contest Gala

The 2021 OWC Writing Contest Gala happens Saturday, April 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. ... Read More
Nana-Ama Danquah

Emergence: Transforming Our Responses via the Written Word

We are proud to again offer Ms. Nana-Ama Danquah's exhilarating workshop , Emergence: Transforming ... Read More
Quill pen

Verse of Ages Celebrates Poetry Month

OWC's Verse of Ages 2021 celebrates poetry in virtual style with poet Susan Blackaby. ... Read More

OWC launches Instagram account

Instagram logo

OWC launches Instagram account

OWC has officially launched on Instagram. Find us at @oregonwriterscolony. Posts will appear on both ... Read More

Join our Facebook groups

 

Facebook logo

Special-focus groups are opening on OWC’s Facebook page. Flash Fiction and Short Stories is up and ready to provide a community for writers who write and/or read short prose.

To join, make sure you are an active follower on our Facebook page and click on groups to find the group that interests you.

Watch for another group on self-publishing coming soon.

Stay in the loop!

Don’t miss out on upcoming events and workshops. The OWC eBlast keeps you up to date.

* indicates required
Email Format

Mission Statement

Oregon Writers Colony supports all writers. Members benefit from classes, gain insight from teachers and colleagues, and have access to Colonyhouse, a lovely writing retreat on the Oregon Coast.

Contact Us

Oregon Writers Colony
501(c)(3) non-profit writers' organization dedicated to supporting writers through education and community-building.
Email: info@oregonwriterscolony.org
P.O. Box: 15200
Portland, Oregon 97293-5200
United States
PRIVACY POLICY

Books by OWC Members

012121-Last Harvest Last Harvest 010721 Target Marketing Target Marketing for Authors 120320 Pretty Chrysanthemum Pretty Chrysanthemum 112220 Tainted Times 2 Tainted Times 2 101320 Long Winters Night A Long Winter's Night 101320 Cat Conundrum Cat Conundrum 101320 Midnight Beach Midnight Beach 071820 American Bluebeard American Bluebeard

Join OWC Now

Individual membership $40 per year, with discounts for couples and students.

Benefits:

  • Members’ rates on conferences and workshops
  • Free admission to Literary Lounge
  • Use of Colonyhouse
  • Get a special report, Story Starters for Imagination and Creativity, compiled by OWC member, author, and teacher Lori L. Lake

Join or Renew

Download registration form

© 2011-2021 Oregon Writers Colony and Content Authors • Site by Jan Bear, Professional Web Strategies