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Winners of the 2008 Writers Studio Literary Contest

Congratulations to the First Place winners in our fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry contests:

Fiction First Place--Kate Krautkramer for Windrows

I chose "Windrows" as the winner for the subtle intensity of its emotion, the understated characters, and the complexity of its metaphors. The tale is tender and beautifully fresh, set in gorgeous, open ranchland. Haunted by the passing of seasons, the passing of her life, the loss of her only close friend, and the gradual loss of memory, Audra holds on to her husband and home, to the routine she knows, to the mysteries of loss and love she'll never solve.

--William Haywood Henderson, Fiction Judge

Nonfiction First Place--Denise Turner for The Dark

Wow. The writer of this essay combined vivid scenes and imagery with searing emotional honesty to create a story with extraordinary psychological depth. Unlike many personal essays, which take a meandering approach to story, this piece was a page-turner. Though writing in the second person can be a risky choice, the writer was in control of the work throughout. As they say in the sports and entertainment biz: this is one to watch.

--Sharon Caudron, Nonfiction Judge

Poetry First Place--Karen Douglass for Mingle-Tongue

"Mingle-Tongue" employs a fugue-like catalog of details, movingly demonstrating remembering as a form of rescue.

--Aaron Anstett, Poetry Judge

The winners each won $250, a complimentary weekend stay at Bloomsbury West, an artist retreat near Westcliffe, Colorado and publication in next year's Progenitor, ACCs literary magazine. They were our were distinguished guests at the Writers Studio May Literary Festival where they read their work to a wonderfully appreciative crowd..

Congratulations to all our runner ups and finalists.

Fiction Runner Up: Darryl Halbrooks for Salt Flat

Nonfiction Runner Up: Chesney Dougherty for Little Bombs

Poetry Runner Up: Vicki Mandell King for Emptying

Fiction Finalists: Amy Mehegan for Baby Doll, Darryl Halbrooks for The End of Everything, Lisa Hardman for Peace Offering

Nonfiction Finalists: Leslie Lewis for Personal Eden, Janelle Muntz for Like Chalk and Cheese

Poetry Finalists: Carol Carpenter for The Empress Watches "This Is Your Life," Douglas Crago for Forgetfulness, Leslie Lewis for The Jewel, H. Joy Stross for The 5 & 10 Scent Store, Rosemerry Trommer for After Hitting A Deer on HWY 50 My Son Cannot Sleep

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