Wednesday, April 15, 2015

A Nice Surprise For Me


I entered a contest sponsored by the Winfield (Kansas) Arts and Humanities Council. This is the 26th annual Kansas Voices contest. I had entered once a few years ago but did not place. Maybe, I told myself, it was time to try again. I decided to enter three pieces. 

One was a poem that my online critique group particularly liked and so did I. The second was a fiction story that takes place in the Flint Hills of Kansas. The third was a creative nonfiction story called Christmas Spirit--Lost and Found that could be classified as memoir. 

The winners were to be notified by Friday, April 10, 2015. There was no notice on any of my entries on that Friday. I felt a bit disappointed as I thought maybe one of the three might place. I knew that this is a prestigious contest in our state and quite competitive but was hoping to be successful. Apparently, it was not to be. 

However, on Monday afternoon, I received a phone call from someone involved with the contest. I wasn't home but the woman left a lengthy and very nice message. It seems that my creative nonfiction story won Honorable Mention. I was invited to attend a reception and awards ceremony on May 2nd, 2015 in Winfield. The writers of the winning entries would read their story at that event.

Today, I received an email with a list of the winners. It seems this contest does not give 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Instead, they have 1st place and two Honorable Mention awards. Mine was right below the 1st place winner which pleased me. Monetary awards are given to all 1st and Honorable Mention winners. 

You who read this blog regularly know that I have said many times that you cannot win a contest unless you enter nor can you have a piece of your writing accepted by an editor if you don't submit it. 

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