Unpublished Manuscript Awards
CATEGORY 1 – POETRY, UNRHYMED-SHORT
Category Sponsor: Sandra Soli
Judge: Robert Ferrier
Category Chair: Carol Johnson
FIRST PLACE: "The Young Wife's Promise" by Ann Cleary, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: "Once on a Snowy Morning" by Karen Kay Knauss (Bailey), Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "The Last Snow Storm" by Carol Lavelle Snow, Tulsa NightWriters
1st Honorable Mention: "Hats" by Theresa Hupp, Kansas City Writers Group
2nd Honorable Mention: "While You're Blinking" by Eric Reitan, Member at Large
3rd Honorable Mention: "Season's Grace" by Terri Lynn Cummings, Oklahoma City Writers Inc.
4th Honorable Mention: "Fading Light, Burning Bright" by Diane Morrow-Kondos, Member at Large
5th Honorable Mention: "Fall 2016" by Martha Draper, Enid Writer's Club
CATEGORY 2 – POETRY, UNRHYMED-LONG
Category Sponsor: Norman Galaxy of Writers
Judge: Lance Hawvermale
Category Chair: Carol Johnson
FIRST PLACE: "To Whom… etc." by Judith S. Rycroft, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: "Unmet" by Nancy Scott Hanway, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "How to Leave" by Maria Veres, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
1st Honorable Mention: "My Sidekick's Journey" by Nikki Hanna, Tulsa NightWriters
2nd Honorable Mention: "Moving Day" by Eric Reitan, Member at Large
3rd Honorable Mention: "Martha, I am Sorry" by Robbie White, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
CATEGORY 3 – Poetry, Rhymed-Short
Judge: Bill Bernhardt
Category Chair: Carol Johnson
FIRST PLACE: "Sonnet 14.1" by Natalie Rebacz, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: "Battling Dreams" by Kathryn Spurgeon, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "No Regrets" by Mary Flowers Brannon, Norman Galaxy of Writers
1st Honorable Mention: "Hunter" by Malea Thomas, Nevermore Edits
CATEGORY 4 – Poetry, Rhymed-long
Category Sponsor: Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
Judge: Kristyn Reid
Category Chair: Carol Johnson
FIRST PLACE: "Sunday Suppers on the Farm" by Shelley Anne Richter, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: "While Ridin' Slow" by Karen Kay Knauss (Bailey), Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "Wayward Bloom" by Judith S. Rycroft, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
1st Honorable Mention: "Miscommunication" by Julia Harmon, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
2nd Honorable Mention: "Christmas Card Blessing" by Marilyn Boone, Bartlesville WordWeavers
CATEGORY 5 – Essay
Category Sponsor: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pen
Judge: Heather Davis
Category Chair: Connie Blaylock
FIRST PLACE: "Me Tarzan, You Hemingway: A Navigation Guide to Writing Conferences" by Brandi Barnett, The Inklings
SECOND PLACE: "The Sunrise" by Kim Rogers, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "On Taking Ourselves Less Seriously" by Maria Veres, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
1st Honorable Mention: "New Year's Resolution Chinese Style" by Nancy Hartney, Ozark Mountains Guild of Writers
2nd Honorable Mention: "Brain Roulette" by Donna Welch Jones, Tulsa NightWriters
3rd Honorable Mention: "Israel: The Inconvenient Truth of Occupation" by Maggie Villines, Tulsa NightWriters
CATEGORY 6 - Technical and/or How-To Article
Category Sponsor: Anonymous
Judge: Wayne Harris-Wyrick
Category Chair: Marshall Bennett
FIRST PLACE: "Fairies Made Me a Better Storyteller" by Joshua Danker-Dake, Tulsa NightWriters
SECOND PLACE: "Beans: A Healthy Cook's BFF" by Maria Veres, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: "Becoming the Next John Grisham" by Theresa Hupp, Kansas City Writers Group
1st Honorable Mention: "Ask Aunt Sue" by Renee' La Viness, Tulsa NightWriters
CATEGORY 7 - Feature Article: Nonfiction (Any Subject)
Category Sponsor: Dale Ingram
Judge: Ben Montgomery
Category Chair: Eva Mahoney
FIRST PLACE: "A World Gone Sepia" by Abigail Singrey, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: "The Life and Legend of Jesse B." by David L. Roper, Mid-Oklahoma Writers
THIRD PLACE: "They're Off! Life on the Backside" by Nancy Hartney, Ozark Mountains Guild of Writers
1st Honorable Mention: "This is Ground Zero" by F. Ray Gaskin, Member at Large
CATEGORY 8 - Blog: Nonfiction
Category Sponsor: The Inklings
Judge: Mari Farthing
Category Chair: Julia Mozingo
FIRST PLACE: "Boston" by Nick Lyon, Rose Rock wRiters
SECOND PLACE: "Our Cracked Nation" by Jan Morrill, Ozark Mountains Guild of Writers
THIRD PLACE: "Thoughts of a White Woman Regarding White America" by Malea Thomas, Nevermore Edits
1st Honorable Mention: "Depression Lies" by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
2nd Honorable Mention: "Oxford Commas for Sale" by Lisbeth L. McCarty, Norman Galaxy of Writers
3rd Honorable Mention: "The Poopie Diaper Path to Enlightenment" by Brandi Barnett, The Inklings
CATEGORY 9 - Inspirational Article
Category Sponsor: Bartlesville WordWeavers
Judge: Julia Mozingo
Category Chair: Adrean Messmer
FIRST PLACE: "We Were Warriors - Hell Bent" by Nikki Hanna, Tulsa NightWriters
SECOND PLACE: "Heavenly Breadcrumbs" by Louise Tucker Jones, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "Selfless" by Maggie Villines, Tulsa NightWriters
1st Honorable Mention: "The Vow" by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
2nd Honorable Mention: "Jesus Ointment" by Sally Jadlow, Kansas City Writers Group
CATEGORY 10 - Memoir/Nostalgia Short Story
Judge: Cara Brookins
Category Chair: Shannon Iwanski
FIRST PLACE: "Uncle Skillet" by Nikki Hanna, Tulsa NightWriters
SECOND PLACE: "Varmints" by Laura Dye, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "The Backside of Knowledge" by Russell Gayer, Ozark Mountains Guild of Writers
1st Honorable Mention: "My Life as a Cattle Whisperer" by Renee Roberts, Member at Large
2nd Honorable Mention: "Before the Plague" by Eloise Needleman, Bartlesville WordWeavers
3rd Honorable Mention: "The Day I Forgave My Mom" by Eva Mahoney, Pen and Keyboard Writers
4th Honorable Mention: "The Courtship of Reverend Frank Wright" by Nancy K. Harmon, Member at Large
CATEGORY 11 - Flash Fiction
Category Sponsor: Linda Apple, in Memory of Lois Spoon
Judge: Tamara Grantham
Category Chair: Shannon Iwanski
FIRST PLACE: "Picking" by Mari Farthing, The Inklings
SECOND PLACE: "Aphrodite's Tears" by Brenda Clark Thomas, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: "Miscarriage" by Katy Mullins, Nevermore Edits
1st Honorable Mention: "Drip" by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
2nd Honorable Mention: "How to be a Good Member of Group Therapy" by Audrey Lentz, Pen and Keyboard Writers
3rd Honorable Mention: "The Mistake" by Josh Hutchins, Member at Large
4th Honorable Mention: "Waves" by Kimberly Holmes, Member at Large
5th Honorable Mention: "Night of Shame" by Renee' La Viness, Tulsa NightWriters
CATEGORY 12 - Short-Short Story (Adult): Fiction
Category Sponsor: Brenda Clark Thomas, in Memory of Nita Clark
Judge: Connie Blaylock
Category Chair: Cynthia Stevison
FIRST PLACE: "Tromlui" by Shannon Iwanski, Nevermore Edits
SECOND PLACE: "Unreasonable Doubt" by Karen Ferrell, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "The Day of Reckoning" by Laura Atanacio Edington, Member at Large
1st Honorable Mention: "Family Legacy" by Winona Bennett Cross, Member at Large
2nd Honorable Mention: "The Stealthy Intruder" by Julia Mozingo, Lone Star NightWriters
3rd Honorable Mention: "Dodging Death" by Gail Mattingly, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
4th Honorable Mention: "Out Like a Viking" by Nancy K Harmon, Member at Large
CATEGORY 13 - Juvenile Short Story: Fiction
Category Sponsor: Sue Cory Person
Judge: Renee Roberts
Category Chair: Connie Blaylock
FIRST PLACE: "Visiting Daddy" by Linda J. Marshall, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: "The Big Sister Hat" by Karen Ferrell, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "Shine One" by Cathy Collar, Bartlesville WordWeavers
1st Honorable Mention: "Coyote and the Snake" by Kim Rogers, Member at Large
CATEGORY 14 - Young Adult Short Story: Fiction
Category Sponsor: Marcia Preston
Judge: Bess Cozby
Category Chair: Eva Mahoney
FIRST PLACE: "Prisoner of War" by Abigail Singrey, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: "The Well" by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
THIRD PLACE: No More MouseLisbeth L. McCartyNorman Galaxy of Writers
1st Honorable Mention: "Rich Man's Sport" by Nikki Hanna, Tulsa NightWriters
CATEGORY 15 - Short Story (Adult): Fiction
Category Sponsor: Gamut Magazine
Judge: Ally Robertson
Category Chair: Kristi Hanson
FIRST PLACE: "Twisted Little Women" by Donna Welch Jones, Tulsa NightWriters
SECOND PLACE: "What Was Hidden in the Watch" by Eric Reitan, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "Anatomy of a Divorce" by Mariana Llanos, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
1st Honorable Mention: "Settling Up with Shirley" by Gail Mattingly, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
2nd Honorable Mention: "The Academy of Spoiled Rotten Brats" by Russell Gayer, Ozark Mountains Guild of Writers
3rd Honorable Mention: "The Family" by Nelda Holliman-Paden, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
4th Honorable Mention: "The Tree House" by Bobbie Mardis, Enid Writers Club
CATEGORY 16 - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Short Story: Fiction
Category Sponsor: Jay Scott King, in Honor of Edmond Writers Group
Judge: Jason Hough
Category Chair: Sharon Worthey
FIRST PLACE: "The Candles Brighter Than You Think" by Eric Reitan, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: "Hail Proteus!" by F. Ray Gaskin, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: "Amita Wizard & the Grimoire" by Claire Ellis, Member at Large
1st Honorable Mention: "The Lie" by Josh Hutchins, Member at Large
2nd Honorable Mention: "The Great Stone Head" by Shannon Iwanski, Nevermore Edits
CATEGORY 17 - Horror Short Story: Fiction
Category Sponsor: A Murder of Storytellers
Judge: Ruth Weeks
Category Chair: Sally Jadlow
FIRST PLACE: "The Surrogate" by Brenda Clark Thomas, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: "The Gift" by Molly Ervin, McAlester's McSherry Writers
THIRD PLACE: "The Edge of the Dock" by Shannon Iwanski, Nevermore Edits
1st Honorable Mention: "The Dark Inside" by Shelley Anne Richter, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
2nd Honorable Mention: "A Little Too Much Salt" by LMG Swain, Member at Large
CATEGORY 18 - Prose Humor: Fiction or Nonfiction
Category Sponsor: Maria Veres, in Memory of Kathryn Veres
Judge: Cathy Collar
Category Chair: Nick Lyon
FIRST PLACE: "Could He Do It?" by Mary Flowers Brannon, Norman Galaxy of Writers
SECOND PLACE: "The Battle of Gardenville" by Russell Gayer, Ozark Mountains Guild of Writers
THIRD PLACE: "The Pug, the Cat, and the Rabbit" by Jayleen Mayes, Bartlesville WordWeavers
1st Honorable Mention: "The Proofreader" by Shelley Anne Richter, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
2nd Honorable Mention: "Laughing Gas and the Tornado" by Skye Brannon Lucking, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
CATEGORY 19 - Play, Film, or TV Script
Judge: Frank Steele
Category Chair: Sally Jadlow
FIRST PLACE: Believing Out Loud by Mary Flowers Brannon, Norman Galaxy of Writers
SECOND PLACE: Cheat the Devil by Eloise Needleman, Bartlesville WordWeavers
THIRD PLACE: The Fourth Wall, Episode 1: Clipped Wings by Mac Boyle, Nevermore Edits
1st Honorable Mention: Tales of the Borderland by Sidney Brammer, Bartlesville WordWeavers
CATEGORY 20 - Picture Book: Fiction or Nonfiction (for ages 1-8)
Category Sponsor: Traci Ison Schafer, in Memory of Grandson, Lawson Morgan
Judge: Tony LoPresti
Category Chair: Adrean Messmer
FIRST PLACE: The Purple Problem by Cathy Collar, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: Why Bessie Won't Fly Any More by Vivian Zabel, Pen and Keyboard Writers
THIRD PLACE: Miss Locomobile Takes the Road by Sharon J. Wilson, Member at Large
1st Honorable Mention: Wanda Changes Phase by Natalie Rebacz, Bartlesville WordWeavers
2nd Honorable Mention: Wrinkles by Louise Tucker Jones, Member at Large
CATEGORY 21 - Middle Grade Book: Fiction or Nonfiction
Judge: Shelley Pagach
Category Chair: Julie Kimmel
FIRST PLACE: Petdemonium by Karen Ferrell, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: Writing Prompts Through the Year by Maria Veres, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: Melvin the Mysterious by David L. Roper, Mid-Oklahoma Writers
1st Honorable Mention: Finding North by Abigail Singrey, Bartlesville WordWeavers
CATEGORY 22 - Young Adult Novel: Fiction or Nonfiction
Judge: Sonia Gensler
Category Chair: Jodi Thompson
FIRST PLACE: The Day After You Save the World by Eric Reitan, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: Death's Ally by Audra Williams, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: Until the Meek Inherit by Sharon Ervin, McAlester's McSherry Writers
1st Honorable Mention: The Red List by Kim Rogers, Member at Large
2nd Honorable Mention: An Oversight by Marion Grace, Tulsa NightWriters
CATEGORY 23 - New Adult Novel
Category Sponsor: Fawkes Press
Judge: Amy Collins
Category Chair: Jodi Thompson
FIRST PLACE: The Anuan Legacy by Traci Ison Schafer, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: Cloverfield by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
THIRD PLACE: Ultimately by Lisbeth L. McCarty, Norman Galaxy of Writers
CATEGORY 24 - Mainstream Novel: Fiction
Category Sponsor: Enid Writer’s Club
Judge: Dr. Marty Ludlum
Category Chair: Julie Kimmel
FIRST PLACE: Return to the Triple Creek by Bobbie Mardis, Enid Writers Club
SECOND PLACE: White Chalk Road by Rodney Walther, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: Lost in Appalachia by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
1st Honorable Mention: The Last Harvest by Joan King, Member at Large
2nd Honorable Mention: Undelivered Letters by Linda Shelby, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
CATEGORY 25 - Romance Novel
Category Sponsor: Inkubus Publishing
Judge: Ann Leslie Tuttle
Category Chair: Mari Farthing
FIRST PLACE: Icarus Redeemed by Pepper Hume, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: Survivor by Connie L. Blaylock, Green Country Ruff Riters
THIRD PLACE: Shifting Ozarks by Rebecca Cline, Member at Large
CATEGORY 26 - Historical Novel
Category Sponsor: Green Country Ruff Riters
Judge: Jennifer McMurrain
Category Chair: Mari Farthing
FIRST PLACE: The Call of the Redbird by Sandra Lawson, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: The Banks of the Beautiful River by Olive Swan, Bartlesville WordWeavers
THIRD PLACE: Swaying with the Wind by Abir Sami Wood, Tulsa NightWriters
1st Honorable Mention: An Angel's Heart by Connie L. Blaylock, Green Country Ruff Riters
CATEGORY 27 - Mystery/Suspense Novel
Category Sponsor: Christine Jarmola, in Memory of Charlotte Anne Smith
Judge: Staci Mauney
Category Chair: Sharon Worthey
FIRST PLACE: Promises to Keep by Kathleen Norris Park, Norman Galaxy of Writers
SECOND PLACE: The Falafel of Death by Linda J. Marshall, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: Smart Vaccine by Richard D. Sadok, Bartlesville WordWeavers
1st Honorable Mention: Obsession by Connie L. Blaylock, Green Country Ruff Riters
CATEGORY 28 - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel
Category Sponsor: SoonerCon
Judge: Sam Morgan
Category Chair: Sharon Worthey
FIRST PLACE: Grassland by Joshua Danker-Dake, Tulsa NightWriters
SECOND PLACE: The Princess Dandelion and her Heroes Three by Nick Lyon, Rose Rock wRiters
THIRD PLACE: A World More Full of Weeping by Eric Reitan, Member at Large
1st Honorable Mention: Sybil Sybarite by Linda J. Marshall, Member at Large
CATEGORY 29 - Horror Novel
Category Sponsor: Nevermore Edits
Judge: Peggy Chambers
Category Chair: Mari Farthing
FIRST PLACE: Hush by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: American Vampires by Connie L. Blaylock, Green Country Ruff Riters
THIRD PLACE: And It Was Night by Joe Jared, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
CATEGORY 30 - Nonfiction Book
Category Sponsor: Nikki Hanna
Judge: Amy Shojai
Category Chair: Mari Farthing
FIRST PLACE: Confessions of an Evil Child by Cassandra Gibson-Jones, The Write Ingredients
SECOND PLACE: The Miscarriage Survival Guide by Maria Veres, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: Real Colors by Pepper Hume, Bartlesville WordWeavers
1st Honorable Mention: Black and Kiddo by Brenda Black, Writers' Guild of Arkansas
Published Book Trophies
CATEGORY 31 - BEST JUVENILE BOOK
Judge: Marilyn Boone
Category Chair: Evelyn Wilson-Martin
FIRST PLACE: The Night the Mice Sang by Marla F. Jones, Member at Large
CATEGORY 32 - BEST NONFICTION BOOK
Judge: Nikki Hanna
Category Chair: Evelyn Wilson-Martin
FIRST PLACE: The Jefferson Highway in Oklahoma by Jonita Mullins, Tahlequah Writers
CATEGORY 33 - BEST POETRY BOOK
Category Sponsor: M. Hendry Fine Art
Judge: Maria Veres
Category Chair: Evelyn Wilson-Martin
FIRST PLACE: Where Once a Willow by Karen Kay Knauss (Bailey), Member at Large
CATEGORY 34 - BEST FICTION BOOK
Category Sponsor: LilyBear House, LLC
Judge: Jim Laughter
Category Chair: Evelyn Wilson-Martin
FIRST PLACE: A Splinter in Time by Linda Shelby, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
Crème de la Crème
All first-place entries were read anonymously during the judging process for this award.
Sponsor: Ruth Weeks
Judges: Heather Davis & Carolyn Leonard
CONGRATULATIONS!
Cathy Collar, Bartlesville WordWeavers
The Purple Problem, Category 20 - Picture Book
