As always, I enjoyed reading all the entries. But it was a hard job to help the judges come up with the winners. The real pang, of course, is that we can't acknowledge all the fine stories that just missed out.
The first prize in each category is $100. Winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions all received attractive certificates.
I hope all of you who took part in this contests will take the time to read these fine stories. I think they'll inspire you to keep working at your craft. Maybe next year the winner will be you!
And, if you didn't take part in the contest this year, consider trying your hand at it next year. To learn how click here .
(click on the photo to go to a story)
- FIRST PRIZE--GENERAL NONFICTION
- Joni Bour--What I Learned at Twenty-Three
- RUNNER-UP
- Judy Wirzberger--Fried Bologna and Forgiveness
- HONORABLE MENTION
- Anna G. Joujan--Once Upon A Story
- OTHER FINALISTS
- Celeste Leon--A Lucky Man
- Emily Feldman--Truths Revealed about Family, Love, and Life on Easter Morning
- FIRST PRIZE--NONFICTION TRAVEL STORY
- Sonja Herbert--Peace In The Valley
- RUNNER-UP:
- Robin Lentz--Fitenenana
- HONORABLE MENTION:
- Derek Tober--Plum Blossom
- OTHER FINALISTS:
- Mary E. Whitsell--No, We Are Not In The Japanese Red Army
- Joel Carillet--Touched By Strangers
2005
Winners
- FIRST PRIZE--GENERAL NONFICTION
- Elaine Greensmith Jordan--California, 1942
- RUNNER-UP (Tie)
- Desire Aquirre--The Last Hellacious Ride
- Paula Gramlich--Reading Between The Lines
- HONORABLE MENTION
- Misheel Chuluun-- Mongolian Memories
- Pearl Watley Mitchell--Teaching Your Skeletons To Dance
- OTHER FINALISTS
- Kristin K. Fouquet-- Artist Unknown
- Carol Greenberg--Benny, If You Read This, Write
- Kate Robinson--Natural Soul
- FIRST PRIZE--NONFICTION TRAVEL STORY (Tie)
- Lise Charlebois--Corsican Nights
- Laurie Levinger--Teaching English In Guatemala
- RUNNER-UP:
- Michael Crisafi--The Nevada Highway
- HONORABLE MENTION:
- Anita Marie Colbert--A Trip Of Hope
- Meredith Hodges-Boos-- Japanese Grits
- Pearl Watley Mitchell-- Jamaica, Land Of Beauty And Poverty
- OTHER FINALISTS:
- Maurine Dodge--Amsterdam du Paris au Velo
- Esther Jones--River Raft Jungle Adventure
- Mamta Murthy--A Tale Of Two Cities - Hardwar and Rishikesh
2004 Winners
- FIRST PRIZE--GENERAL NONFICTION
- Ehichoya Ekozilen--A Positive Adjournment
- RUNNER-UP:
- Paula Gramlich--Dressing The Dead
- HONORABLE MENTION
- Cindy-Lou Dale--Where Angels Fear To Tread
- Shikha Choudhuri--A Final Reckoning
- OTHER FINALISTS:
- Hilary Finchum-Sung--Mammaw's Visit
- Nayna Chakrabarty--Trapped In The Moment
- Caroline Kramer--An Ode To Tea
- FIRST PRIZE--NONFICTION TRAVEL STORY
- Tracy Koret--Diplomacy As A Second Language
- RUNNER-UP:
- Karen Ferrick-Roman--Freedom Smells Like A Peach
- HONORABLE MENTION:
- Becky Coffield--Second Thoughts
- Cristal Thomas--Atonement In Ghana
- Donna Russett--Mekong Memories
- OTHER FINALISTS:
- Sheila Sowder--Italian Lessons
- Pamela Hamilton--Living The Journey