Unpublished Manuscript Awards
CATEGORY 1 – PERSONAL BLOG
Category Sponsor: Prestige Prose
FIRST PLACE: “Bravo Doesn’t Know He Sick: Bone Cancer in Dogs” by Amy Shojai, Rose Rock wRiters
SECOND PLACE: “2020: Battered, Tattered, and Worse for Wear” by Aleasha Wales Shelnutt, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: “Mama” by Jennifer Wilson, Bartlesville WordWeavers
Honorable Mention: “Front Porch Pointers,” by Dee Dee Chumley, The Inklings
Honorable Mention: “Lessons Through My Window” by Vivian Zabel, Invite to Write
CATEGORY 2 – ESSAY
Category Sponsor: Lisa Marotta, in honor of The Inklings
FIRST PLACE: “Let’s Grow Up America” by Mary Ellen Main, Writers of the Purple Sage
SECOND PLACE: “A Bedroom of One’s Own” by Erin York, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: “A Letter from Anna” by Susan Kite, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
Honorable Mention: “You Can Go Home Again” by Carolyn B. Leonard, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
Honorable Mention: “Childhood Magic” by Billie Holladay Skelley, Member at Large
CATEGORY 3 – MEMOIR/NOSTALGIA
FIRST PLACE: “Friday Prayers” by Niki Nicole, The Inklings
SECOND PLACE: “Rural Mexico: A Conundrum of Soda Pop and Folk Ritual” by Nancy Hartney, Ozark Mountains Guild of Writers
THIRD PLACE: “The Resurrection Plant” by Erin York, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: “Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch” by Laura Atanacio Edington, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: “The Chrysalis” by John T. Biggs, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
CATEGORY 4 – PROSE HUMOR
Category Sponsor: Norman Galaxy of Writers
FIRST PLACE: “Writer’s Block—Ya’ Talking to Me?” by Pepper Hume, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: “Just Say No to Crossword Puzzles” by Dee Dee Chumley, The Inklings
THIRD PLACE: “The Bad Luck Kid” by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
Honorable Mention: “I Dub Thee Lord Sugar Buns” by Dianne McCartney, Rose Rock wRiters
Honorable Mention: “The Birthday” by John T. Biggs, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
CATEGORY 5 – SCRIPT: FILM, PLAY, OR TV
Category Sponsor: Buffalo Industries, LLC
FIRST PLACE: Wanted by Barbara Shepherd, Hunt and Peck
SECOND PLACE: Heaven, TX by John Darrouzet and Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
THIRD PLACE: The Devil You Know by Bob Hargrove, Member at Large
CATEGORY 6 - ARTICLE: INSPIRATIONAL
FIRST PLACE: “Angels Unawares” by Janet Yeager, Tulsa NightWriters
SECOND PLACE: “You Were Meant to Ride High” by Mary Ellen Main, Writers of the Purple Sage
THIRD PLACE: “Forgive U.S., Small Dead Things: An Essay from the Flood” by Erin York, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: “Donna’s Dilemma” by Sally Jadlow, Kansas City Writers Group
CATEGORY 7 - ARTICLE: NONFICTION FEATURE
Category Sponsor: Anonymous
FIRST PLACE: “Last Boat out of Saigon” by Carolyn B. Leonard, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: “Kom Ombo” by Janet Yeager, Tulsa NightWriters
THIRD PLACE: “The Seminole Underground Railroad” by John T. Biggs, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
CATEGORY 8 - ARTICLE: TECHNICAL OR HOW-TO
FIRST PLACE: “How to Create a Manuscript Template Using Microsoft Word” by Holly Jahangiri, Invite to Write
SECOND PLACE: “Three Book Design Mistakes That Scream ‘Self-Publishing’—And How to Fix Them” by Maria Veres, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: “Poems for Profit—Hobby or Business” by Barbara Shepherd, Hunt and Peck
CATEGORY 9 - POETRY: RHYMED SHORT
FIRST PLACE: “Dementia” by Sara Rickover, Kansas City Writers Group
SECOND PLACE: “Extending an Olive Branch” by Debbie Theiss, Kansas City Writers Group
THIRD PLACE: “Perspective” by C.M. Healy, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: “I’ve Been to the Mountain” by Fay Smalling Guinn, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: “I Lie Awake” by Mary Ellen Main, Writers of the Purple Sage
CATEGORY 10 - POETRY: RHYMED LONG
FIRST PLACE: “Bayou Night” by Storme Maynard, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: “The Fox” by Jennifer Wilson, Bartlesville WordWeavers
THIRD PLACE: “The Murky Familiar A.K.A. Not Just the Blues” by Melissa Heath-Lee, McAlester’s McSherry Writers
Honorable Mention: “You Are the Hero” by Debbie Theiss, Kansas City Writers Group
Honorable Mention: “Midamir and Tinayel” by Merle Davenpor, Writers of the Purple Sage
CATEGORY 11 - POETRY: UNRHYMED SHORT
Category Sponsor: Dona Mularkey
FIRST PLACE: “On Death in Detroit” by Melissa Heath-Lee, McAlester’s McSherry Writers
SECOND PLACE: “The Seed of Things” by Erin York, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: “The Road Atlas” by Debbie Theiss, Kansas City Writers Guild
Honorable Mention: “The Winganon Road” by Jennifer Oakley Denslow, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: “Farts” by Sharon Edge Martin, Member at Large
CATEGORY 12 - POETRY: UNRHYMED LONG
Category Sponsor: Anonymous, in honor of Creative Quills
FIRST PLACE: “Odes to Ordinary Things” by Eric Reitan, Rose Rock wRiters
SECOND PLACE: “To Eat and Drink (With) You” by Erin York, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: “Rooster on Canvas” by Angela Adamy, Tulsa NightWriters
Honorable Mention: “The Evolution of Color” by Jennifer Denslow, Member at Large
CATEGORY 13 - SHORT STORY: FLASH FICTION
FIRST PLACE: “The Weathered Barn” by J. Allen Harris, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: “Anaphylactic Shock” by R.D. Sadok, Bartlesville WordWeavers
THIRD PLACE: “A Look Forward” by Kathlyn Smith, Tulsa NightWriters
Honorable Mention: “Perfect” by Dee Dee Chumley, The Inklings
Honorable Mention: “Paradise” by Sally Jadlow, Kansas City Writers Group
CATEGORY 14 - SHORT STORY: SHORT-SHORT (JUVENILE)
Category Sponsor: Mark Edward Jones
FIRST PLACE: “The Case of the Missing Earrings” by Mary Ellen Main, Writers of the Purple Sage
SECOND PLACE: “Dinosaur Hunters” by Barbara Shepherd, Hunt and Peck
THIRD PLACE: “Don’t Eat That, Clancy!” by Una Belle Townsend, Hunt and Peck
CATEGORY 15 - SHORT STORY: SHORT-SHORT (YOUNG ADULT)
FIRST PLACE: “The Alike Ones” by M. Carolyn Steele, Tulsa NightWriters
SECOND PLACE: “Phoenix Without Fire” by Eric Reitan, Rose Rock wRiters
THIRD PLACE: “Magic of Music” by Lisbeth L. McCarty, Norman Galaxy of Writers
CATEGORY 16 - SHORT STORY: Adult
FIRST PLACE: “Still Waters” by Marcia Preston, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: “Pickle Loaf and Other Gifts” by Jennifer Sneed, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: “Unexplained Factors (or How Billy Joel Got Cursed)” by Jeff Dosser, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: “Adios Mis Amigos” by Sid Martin, Tulsa NightWriters
Honorable Mention: “Abe and Esther” by J. Allen Harris, Member at Large
CATEGORY 17 - SHORT STORY: Horror
FIRST PLACE: “Picturing” by Eric Reitan, Rose Rock wRiters
SECOND PLACE: “Living the Dream” by Marlys Gallagher, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: “The Rules” by Brooke Taylor, Central Region Oklahoma Writers
CATEGORY 18 - SHORT STORY: Sci-fi/fantasy
FIRST PLACE: “The Past Is All There Is” by Dylan Henderson, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: “The Truth About Happy Endings” by Eric Reitan, Rose Rock wRiters
THIRD PLACE: “Chosen’s Beautiful Heart” by Michael Richard, Member at Large
CATEGORY 19 - Unpublished Book: Picture
FIRST PLACE: Good Neighbors… and That’s No Joke by Jennifer Sneed, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: I Am Unique and Remarkable Me by Maggie Mosher, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: Maestro Maestro’s Music by Kelly Bennett, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: Toad Party by Stephanie Theban, Member at Large
CATEGORY 20 - Unpublished Book: Middle Grade
FIRST PLACE: A Story Unwritten by Jennifer Sneed, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: Ron the Red by Dee Dee Chumley, The Inklings
THIRD PLACE: Hypatia: Ancient Alexandria’s Female Scholar by Billie Holladay Skelley, Member at Large
CATEGORY 21 - Unpublished Book: Non-fiction
Category Sponsor: Enid Writers Club
FIRST PLACE: Journals From a Warrior’s Mother by Chrissy L. Whitten, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: Marianne Stop It by Lisbeth L. McCarty, Norman Galaxy of Writers
THIRD PLACE: Not Quite Serenity by Meg Welch Dendler, Ozark Mountains Guild of Writers
CATEGORY 22 - Unpublished Book: Historical Fiction
Category Sponsor: Winona Cross
FIRST PLACE: Arbuckle by Pepper Hume, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: His Brother’s Boots by Stephanie Theban, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: Warriors of Sand Plum Ridge by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
CATEGORY 23 - Unpublished Book: Graphic Novel
No entries.
CATEGORY 24 - Unpublished Book: Mainstream
Category Sponsor: Sue McMurphy and Gwen Hewitt
FIRST PLACE: While You Were Gone by Dianne McCartney, Rose Rock wRiters
SECOND PLACE: The Twelve Labors of John Herkimer Leis by Brent W. Beasley, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: The Lady at the Bus Stop by Pepper Hume, Bartlesville WordWeavers
CATEGORY 25 - Unpublished Book: Mystery/suspense/thriller
Category Sponsor: Invite to Write
FIRST PLACE: Dust and Redemption by G.K. Davenport, Invite to Write
SECOND PLACE: Death by Dice: A Bunco Club Mystery by Staci Mauney, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: The Infant of Prague by Nicole Wells, Member at Large
CATEGORY 26 - Unpublished Book: Romance
Category Sponsor: Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild
FIRST PLACE: Siuil a Run by Pepper Hume, Bartlesville WordWeavers
SECOND PLACE: Eternally Ella by Dianne McCartney, Rose Rock wRiters
THIRD PLACE: Lucky in Love by Olive Swan, Bartlesville WordWeavers
CATEGORY 27 - Unpublished Book: Sci-fi/fantasy
Category Sponsor: Rose Rock wRiters
FIRST PLACE: Music of Babel by Eric Reitan, Rose Rock wRiters
SECOND PLACE: Penny Loafer by Shelley White, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: The Witch Slayer by Jennifer McMurrain, Bartlesville WordWeavers
Honorable Mention: The Parsillican Ruby by Pepper Hume, Bartlesville WordWeavers
Honorable Mention: Crown of Light Redemption by L.A. Willis, Rose Rock wRiters
CATEGORY 28 - Unpublished Book: Young Adult
FIRST PLACE: Rune by Chelsea Day Chevalier, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: Fyr by Kristin Kaldahl, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: The Dead Baby Club by Eric Reitan, Rose Rock wRiters
Published Book Trophies
CATEGORY 29 - Published Book: Non-fiction
FIRST PLACE: Voices on the Move by Roxana Cazan and Domnica Radulescu, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: Cat Life: Celebrating the History, Culture, and Love of the Cat by Amy Shojai, Rose Rock wRiters
THIRD PLACE: Rest in God: A Prayer Journal by Yvonne M. Morgan, Tulsa NightWriters
CATEGORY 30 – Published Book: Juvenile
Category Sponsor: Maria Veres
FIRST PLACE: Norman One Amazing Goldfish by Kelly Bennett, Member at Large
SECOND PLACE: The I Love to Write Stories Book: Ideas for Young Authors by Mary-Lane Kamberg, Kansas City Writers Group
THIRD PLACE: Melvin the Mysterious by David Roper, Mid-Oklahoma Writers
CATEGORY 31 - Published Book: Young Adult
FIRST PLACE: Moon Crusher by Susan Kite, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: Aslan: Running Joy by Kristin Kaldahl, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
THIRD PLACE: Cherokee Clay by Regina McLemore, Tahlequah Writers
CATEGORY 32 - Published Book: Adult
FIRST PLACE: Never Call Me Vampire by Tamara Grantham, Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild
SECOND PLACE: Butcherville by Chris Kelsey, Member at Large
THIRD PLACE: Diomere’s Mercenary by Sabrina A. Fish, Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild
Honorable Mention: Once Upon a Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday, Member at Large
Honorable Mention: The Spiderling by Marcia Preston, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
CATEGORY 33 – Published Book: Graphic Novel
Category Sponsor: Lilybear House, LLC
No entries.
CATEGORY 34 – Visual Elements: Book Cover
FIRST PLACE: The First Hundred Years by Carolyn B. Leronard, by Oklahoma City Writers, Inc.
SECOND PLACE: Jerome the Stone by Dorthy Shaw, Hunt and Peck
THIRD PLACE: The Midnight Reader by F. Ray Gaskin, Member at Large
CATEGORY 35 – Visual Elements: Book Trailer
FIRST PLACE: Jerome the Stone by Dorothy Shaw, Hunt and Peck
SECOND PLACE: Hit and Run by Amy Shojai, Rose Rock wRiters
THIRD PLACE: Penelope Rose Goes to India by C.M. Healy, Member at Large
Crème de la Crème
All first-place entries were read anonymously during the judging process for this award.
Sponsor: Sharon Sala
CONGRATULATIONS!
Still Waters by Marcia Preston
