The Kenai Peninsula Writers’ Contest returned for its 25th year, with winners in all categories announced on March 6.
Coordinated by the Homer Council on the Arts, the contest was open to literary artists of all ages on the Kenai Peninsula.
The judges were Lia Calhoun, Billeen Carlson, Kathryn Carssow, Melissa Cloud, Anne Coray, Wendy Erd, Kim Fine, Carol Ford, Jessica Golden, Justin Herrmann, Nancy Lord, Linda Martin, Lyn Maslow, John Messick, De Patch, Debi Poore and Shellie Worsfold.
“Homer Council on the Arts is grateful to all our sponsors for making this happen,” Kiki Abrahamson with HCOA said in an email. “Homer News, Peninsula Clarion, Tom Bodett and Company, Denice and Roger Clyne, Homer Bookstore, River City Books. And grateful as well to all the participants who shared their creative writing with our community.”
Submissions represent communities throughout the borough, including Anchor Point, Homer, Ninilchik, Nikiski, Kasilof, Kenai, Soldotna and Tyonek.
According to HCOA, two to three judges per category and division take time to carefully consider all entries and come to a consensus on the winning entries. Judges are free to make decisions using criteria they have found most helpful in their professional capacity, as long as contest rules are followed.
Find out more at the Homer Council on the Arts website at read online at homernews.com.
Adult/Open Flash Fiction
First place: “How to Knit a Warm Warm Sweater” by Janna Wagner
Second place: “Nest Lake Monsters” by Cynthia Atcheson
Third place: “The Moonlings Jump Up and Down When Passes the One I Love” by Janna Wagner
Adult/Open Fiction
First place: “The Lost Years” by Tara Caribou
Second place: “The Monster on My Arm” by Amy Murrell-Haunold
Third place: “Amphibian Acquitted” by Charlie Menke
Adult/Open Nonfiction
First place: “No Dumb Grandchildren” by Cynthia Atcheson
Second place: “The Set” by Paula Kulhanek
Third place: “Hot buttered rum” by Gordy Vernon
Adult/Open Poetry
First place: “One Good Horse” by Megan Corazza
Second place: “We are flies” by Janna Wagner
Third place: “Talk Amongst Crows” by Steve Delehanty
10-12 Fiction
First place: “Deep Waters” by Mason Watson
Second place: “A Book’s Cover” by Caitlyn Rogers
10-12 Poetry
First place: “the day my body becomes mine once more” by Anonymous (wishes to remain anonymous due to sensitive content)
Second place: “Courage” by Ainsley Boss-Harmon
Third place: “Kingdom of Snow” by Jody Goodrich
7-9 Nonfiction
First place: “Hot Dogs Are Cooking and I Want Them to Finish Already” by Alex Eberle
Second place: “My Poem” by Josie Dubbe
Third place: “What I Love About My Community” by Bryce Hagge
7-9 Poetry
First place: “The Garden” by Apphia Bowser
Second place: “Alaska” by Alex Eberle
4-6 Fiction
First place: “Hendrick’s Halloween” by Harrison Mayasich
Second place: “The Nikiski Pool” by Sadie Gibson
Third place: “Gnomes” by Harper Bross
4-6 Nonfiction
First place: “Sunshine” by Ilsa Gutschow
Second place: “Have You Ever Been to California…?” by Ingrid Pederson
4-6 Poetry
First place: “Waves” by Miranda Green
Second place: “Family Metaphor” by Xander Roth
Third place: “The Ocean” by Ilsa Gutschow
K-3 Fiction
First place: “Silver Feather’s Journey” by Taiga Reader
Second place: “The Ladybug Bomb” by Polly Fraley
Third place: “Silly Hen by Amilia Botkin and The Yes Day” by Timothy Christman
K-3 Nonfiction
First place: “If You Aren’t Falling” by Sidney Jones
Second place: “The Day the Waves were Bumpy” by Grayson Martinez
Third place: “The Nerf Fight” by Gunnar Woolard
