WRITING CONTEST
WRITING CONTEST
2016 Writing Contest Results
BOB HEYWORTH | Communications Committee
Stephen King once said about writing , “ The scariest moment is always just before you start .” Writing is indeed a scary proposition for most people , including some of the most famous and successful writers of our time . Mr . King , though , provided hope to aspiring writers with his advice , “ You can , you should , and if you ’ re brave enough to start , you will .”
We are delighted that so many ARTA members rose to the challenge and were brave enough to not only start , but upon finishing took that extra risk of sending their writing to be judged against the work of their peers . Participation in this year ’ s contest resulted in sixty-four works being submitted for judging : seventeen in the poetry category , thirteen in flash fiction and thirty-four in memoirs .
The judging panel in 2016 consisted of seven persons of diverse literary backgrounds . A new judging process was introduced . Although it made the activity go more smoothly , it certainly did not make the final decisions any easier .
Thank you to our judges for a difficult task done well , and thank you as well to Chyrisse Dekker , ARTA ’ s Marketing Director , for her assistance in collecting and compiling the entries .
Below are the winners . First- and second-place winners in each category receive a cash prize and will have their work published in news & views . First-place winners are published in this issue ; second-place winners will be published over the next year . The work will be printed with only light editing so as to preserve the authenticity of the voice of the author .
We have given recognition by way of honourable mention to five writers simply because it was so difficult to make choices with work of this quality . On behalf of the Communications Committee , most sincere congratulations to all of the winners , and to all of the participants who were courageous enough to share of themselves through their writing .
FLASH FICTION
First : Allan MacRae
Second : Ardith Trudzik
Honourable Mention : Douglas Mirtle
42 | arta . net
POETRY
First : Sharon Ingraham
Second : Delores MacIntyre
Honourable Mention : Mary Anne Gorman , Douglas Mirtle
MEMOIR
First : Shelley Bouska
Second : Silvio Mantello
Honourable Mention : Gladys Teske , Mary Anne Gorman