Winners Announced in WWA 2019 Jade Ring Contest
Annual writing contest recognizes authors in four genre categories
Milwaukee, Wis., July 14, 2019 – The Wisconsin Writers Association is pleased to announce the results from its annual Jade Ring Contest, offering opportunities for writers to submit their work in four genre categories. Pamela J.A. Fullerton, Janice Wilberg, Julia Gimbel and Kayla Knaack won the contest in the categories of fiction, humor, nonfiction and poetry, respectively. They will each receive the traditional award of a jade ring, or cash substitute. All finalists will be honored at the annual WWA fall conference on Saturday, October 5 at the Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wis.
“WWA has been serving Wisconsin writers with resources like the Jade Ring Contest for seventy-one years,” said Barry Wightman, WWA President. “Since its inception in 1948, WWA has worked to encourage, educate, support and promote writers, and the Jade Ring Contest is one of our most prestigious programs that allows us to uphold that mission.”
Entrants in each of the Jade Ring Contest’s genre categories had the opportunity to be awarded first, second, or third place. Three honorable mention finishes were also awarded in each category. Nearly 200 entries were received in the categories of fiction (short story, flash, novel excerpt written for adults), nonfiction (article, memoir, essay, nostalgia), humor (fiction or non-fiction), and poetry (all forms).
First place entries will appear in Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine summer issue, a quarterly publication of contemporary Wisconsin thought and culture highlighting new works from authors, artists and photographers from across the state. All WWA members will receive a one-time complimentary copy of the magazine’s summer issue.
All Jade Ring Contest finalists will receive cash awards and/or certificates, be published in WWA’s annual Creative Wisconsinliterary journal, and receive a complimentary copy of the journal. WWA wishes to thank its partners, Creative Wisconsin, and Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine, for their generous contributions to foster WWA’s mission pillar to promote member writers.
The first Jade Ring contest was launched in 1948 as the Wisconsin Rural Writers Association. This year’s contest entrants had the option to request a critique for a nominal reading fee by these accomplished judges:
- Poetry – Max Garland is Professor Emeritus at UW-Eau Claire and recently served as Writer-in-Residence for the city of Eau Claire. His latest book is The Word We Used for It, and was winner of the 2017-18 Brittingham Poetry Prize. Max is the former Poet Laureate of Wisconsin.
- Fiction – Judy Bridges is “The Boss” in the Wisconsin writing community. She founded Redbird Writing Studio in Milwaukee in 1993, and included much of her writing wisdom in her good-natured guide to the craft, Shut Up & Write!
- Nonfiction – Jim Landwehr has five books, The Portland House, Dirty Shirt, Written Life, Reciting From Memory, and On a Road. He is poet laureate for the Village of Wales, WI.
- Humor – Mel Miskimen is an award-winning writer and Moth storyteller. Her book, “Sit. Stay. Heal”, was a selection on WPR’s Chapter A Day. Modern Dog Magazine called it a must read.
The Jade Ring Contest will open again in spring of 2020. WWA membership is not required to enter the contest, however, submission fees are reduced for WWA members and the organization offers a discounted membership rate for those who sign up when they enter the contest. WWA members and non-members can register in advance for the organization’s annual fall conference at: https://wiwrite.org/event-3408967
