Thursday, October 18, 2012

Big Winners at the Ozarks Creative Writers Conference

The Ozarks Creative Writers' Conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is the first conference I ever attended -- more than 15 years ago. My dear friend Lou Turner and I made the trip to Eureka that first time and for several years afterwards. OCW is a fun and lively and welcoming event with inspiring speakers, helpful information, excellent networking opportunities, and great contests.

Lou Turner is now a member of the OCW board, along with Dusty Richards, Velda Brotherton, David Kirkland, and several others who do an excellent job putting on the annual event.

While I haven't been able to make the trip to Eureka for years, I was honored to have been asked this year to judge three contests. Believe me; it wasn't easy picking the winners. In one contest, two entries were so equally excellent it was hard to pick one for the top award.

The judging was blind so I didn't know whose entries I was reading, but I was delighted to learn afterwards that some of my Coffee and Critique group writing friends received awards -- although not necessarily in the categories I judged.

Drum roll please . . .

Marcia Gaye took home these awards:

1st: Las Manos Bella de Elizabeth for short story
2nd: Giving Love a Chance for memoir essay
2nd: My Volkswagen for Creative Nonfiction essay
2nd: Lost Hope Missouri for Literary Novel
3rd: Geese for Japanese Tanka Poetry
HM: Mother of the Painted Desert for free verse poetry

Nick Nixon was recognized for:

1st: Little Red Rider for Storyteller Magazine award
3rd:  Bless u Dexter for humorous short story
3rd: Old Dempsey for Ozark Nostalgia
3rd: The Teacher's Paleo Pecker for Jim Richardson Memorial Award

Doyle Suit received awards for:

1st: Tales of a Misspent Youth for The High Hill Press Book Award
1st: A Loose Sole for Search for Excellence Award
1HM: Hale's Law for the Oxbow Award
3HM: A Pig for Sarah for OWL Award
Doyle also received lunch with agent Cherry Weiner for winning the synopsis award

Congratulations to all the winners!

Wish I could've been there to see you receive your awards. God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll make it there soon.

9 comments:

  1. Donna--Marcia and her husband are going to have to move to another house. Marcia is a hoarder...a hoarder of writing prizes.

    Congratulations to your appointment as a judge (you), and congrats to Doyle, Nick and Marcia.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sioux,
      Isn't she amazing? In fact, the whole gang did an awesome job.
      Donna

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  2. Kudos to the award-winners! Will there be a place to read their entries?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Val,
      I don't believe the entries will be posted anywhere, but if you contact the winners they might let you have a peek.
      Donna

      Delete
  3. Congratulations to all of the talented writers!

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  4. Congrats to the winners. Being familiar with the talents of most on that list, I know they deserve it!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

    ReplyDelete
  5. Aw shucks, y'all are too kind. But Donna, I certainly miss you when you're not around. I traveled alone - which you know I hate to do - but boy was it worth it. A few days at the Writer's Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, and then the OCW gig. What fun to enter so many different contests! Something for everybody. I was a judge also, which is a huge honor I must say, so I admire you for that too. Folks around these parts are so supportive and encouraging. Looking forward to hearing you speak in Columbia MO, and then on to OWL in Branson.

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  6. Hi Linda,
    Thanks for stopping by and offering your words of encouragement.

    Hi Pat,
    Thanks for stopping by and attesting to the talent of the winners--you are right; they surely do deserve it!

    Hi Marcia,
    I'm sure you all had a blast in Eureka. And it's true what you write about how supportive OCW writers are. An extra bonus is the drive to the venue--Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas are so beautiful this time of the year.
    Not sure if I'll be able to make OWL in November (drat it), but I will be in Columbia since I'm one of the speakers. ;-)
    Donna



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  7. Me too, Donna, I miss going! :(

    But WOW!, congratulations to Marcia, Doyle, and Nick--I bet you all are so thrilled and I know it is so well-deserved! Congrats, congrats, congrats.

    Thanks, Donna, for sharing the great news. :)

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