Winners Announced in WWA 2021 Jade Ring Contest
Esteemed judges select winners among nonfiction, fiction and poetry entries
Milwaukee, Wis., July 22, 2021 – The Wisconsin Writers Association (WWA) is pleased to announce the results of its annual Jade Ring Contest. The contest provides opportunities for writers to submit their work in three genre categories. Owen Aibric, Lora Hyler, and Kathie Giorgio won in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry categories, respectively. Each will receive the prize of a jade ring and cash, or a cash substitute. All finalists will be honored at a virtual event this fall.
“We’ve got serious writing talent here in Wisconsin,” said Barry Wightman, WWA President. “This year’s submissions were outstanding, across the board. Our entrants somehow raised the bar, turned up the historically high caliber, the prestige of the Jade Ring contest. It’s wonderful to see.”
Entrants in each of the Jade Ring Writing Contest categories had the opportunity to win first, second, or third place. Three honorable mention finishes were also selected in each category. Winners will be honored at the Jade Ring Writing Contest Virtual Gala in September. The annual WWA fall conference – a hybrid, in-person and virtual event, is scheduled for Saturday, October 9. Details about both events will be announced on the WWA website, newsletter, and in social media.
All Jade Ring Writing Contest finalists will receive cash awards, be published in WWA’s annual Creative Wisconsinliterary journal, and receive a complimentary copy of the journal. Honorable mention finalists receive one-year new or renewed memberships in the WWA. WWA wishes to thank its judges who provided paid critique services to contest entrants.
Erin Celello, Fiction Contest Judge
Erin Celello is an essayist and author of two novels, Miracle Beach and Learning to Stay (Penguin/NAL). She runs The 5th Semester, a story development program designed to help anyone with a book idea go from inspiration to publication, and teaches creative writing for the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and Drexel University’s MFA program. For more visit The5thSemester.com and ErinCelello.com
Laurie Scheer, Nonfiction Contest Judge
Laurie Scheer has assisted writers in the entertainment industry and at institutions of higher learning throughout her diverse career. As a professional speaker, she has programmed and appeared at annual writing events nationally and directed the UW-Madison Writers’ Institute conference for over a decade. She has mentored hundreds of writers as they realized their success stories. Laurie has co-founded a writers’ organization dedicated to writing about Nature entitled New Nature Writers. For more visit https://newnaturewriters.com
Margaret Rozga, Poetry Contest Judge
Margaret Rozga, emeritus professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee – Waukesha campus and 2019-2020 Wisconsin Poet Laureate, has published four books of poetry. Her work has been published recently or is forthcoming in The Progressive, South Florida Poetry Journal, Mom Egg Review and Wisconsin Magazine of History. Her fifth book of poems, Holding My Selves Together: New and Selected Poem is forthcoming from Cornerstone Press in Spring 2021. She co-edited the anthology Through This Door: Wisconsin In Poems (Art Night Books, 2020).
For more visit http://www.margaretrozga.com
Copies of the 2021 Creative Wisconsin literary journal will be available for sale from Amazon in early October. WWA will share detailed information for purchasing the anthology soon.
The Jade Ring Writing Contest will open again in spring of 2022. WWA membership is not required to enter the contest, however, submission fees are reduced for members and the organization offers a discounted membership rate for those who sign up to join when they enter the contest.
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About Wisconsin Writers Association
Founded in 1948, the Wisconsin Writers Association is a creative community dedicated to the support of writers and authors. WWA sponsors and hosts year-round workshops and events throughout Wisconsin, offering discounts and exclusive resources. We aim to share experiences and knowledge while encouraging our members in their pursuit of this most noble art. Develop your craft. Discover resources. Expand your network. Build your audience. Visit https://wiwrite.org/
