Winners Announced in WWA 2020 Jade Ring Contest
Esteemed judges select winners among nonfiction, fiction and poetry entries Milwaukee, Wis.,
July 20, 2020 – The Wisconsin Writers Association is pleased to announce the results of its 74th annual Jade Ring Contest. The contest provides opportunities for writers to submit their work in three genre categories. Jenna Kowaleski, Camilia Cenek, and Yvette Viets Flaten won in fiction, nonfiction and poetry categories, respectively. They will each receive the prized award of a jade ring, or cash substitute. All finalists will be honored at a virtual event this fall.
“Announcing Jade Ring winners is always a pleasure, but this year, of course, it’s different,” said Barry Wightman, WWA President. “Seeing so many writers across the state discovering their own story, their own truth and beauty, I am reminded – writers write – no matter what. We’re good.”
Entrants in each of the Jade Ring Contest categories had the opportunity to win first, second, or third place. Three honorable mention finishes were also selected in each category. Nearly 240 entries were received overall, an increase of over 25% from the record set in 2019. Details about the Jade Ring Contest virtual event, and the annual WWA fall conference scheduled for Saturday, October 3, will be announced on the WWA website soon.
All Jade Ring Contest finalists will receive cash awards, be published in WWA’s annual Creative Wisconsin literary 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.
Poetry Judge – Dasha Kelly Hamilton has written for national, regional and local magazines; produced three collections of poetry; recorded four spoken word CDs; and published two novels. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has taught writing courses at Mount Mary University, Alverno College and UWMilwaukee. Dasha served as an Arts Envoy for the U.S. Embassy to teach, perform and facilitate community building initiatives in Botswana and the island of Mauritius. A former Artist of the Year for the City of Milwaukee, Dasha was recently named the city’s 11th Poet Laureate. For more visit dashakellly.com
Fiction Judge – r. r. campbell is an author, writing coach, and the founder of the Writescast Network, a podcast collective that's been helping creatives worldwide become more confident in themselves and in their craft since 2016. He is also an instructor for the University of Wisconsin's Continuing Education programs, and his novels and short fiction have reached thousands across the globe. For more visit rrcampbellwrites.com
Nonfiction Judge – BJ Hollars is an author and recipient of the Truman Capote Prize for Literary Nonfiction, the Anne B. and James B. McMillan Prize, the Council of Wisconsin Writers' Blei-Derleth Award, and the Society of Midland Authors Award. He is the For information contact: Christine Schultz christine@cschultzwrite.com (262) 939-3436 founder and executive director of the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild and an associate professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. For more visit bjhollars.com
Copies of the 2020 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 Contest will open again in spring of 2021. 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.
