Writing Contests

We believe rounded characters, attention to structure, and a refreshing perspective are the cornerstones of a top-notch story. We also believe that writers of any age can strive for and achieve these elements in their work. Each week, as we interact with our Steward House Youth Writers (SHYW) and reward their outstanding submissions, our goal is to foster and encourage a mastery of these elements.

Winners from September 3, 2010

1st Place: In Retrospect by Caroline Bybee
Bybee's poem is a patchwork of imagery and sensation, of detailed memories and vague impressions. Each line relies on concrete description to move the poem toward a final line that both gratifies the mind of the reader while raising additional questions. Readers will find themselves racing to build a relationship between the details and the memories, which--we have no doubt--is exactly what Bybee wants them to do.
Download and read In Retrospect.
2nd Place: Marley by Kathryn Segner
Segner's Marley is a piece of contrasts and comparisons. Her introductory paragraphs expertly mislead the reader, which makes the revelation of the piece's actual message all the more intense. While, yes, "Marley" is about grief, it's also about the complexity of relationships. Even the best relationships leave their components vulnerable and, inevitably, lead to grief for one person or the other. Segner illustrates this reality with uncomfortable clarity.
Download and read Marley.
3rd Place: Mint by LA Henderson
A casual reader might mistake this short piece of Henderson for a passage out of a Rice vampire novel. Henderson expertly combines formal dialogue with subtle body language descriptors, which lends a dramatic surreality to the overall product. For readers who appreciate Henderson's artful character interactions, we recommend reading the short stories of Truman Capote. That we can link Capote in any way to Henderson demonstrates the quality of what she's done with Mint.
Download and read Mint.

Winners from Previous Weeks

Featured Publication

Words Only I Can Speak

Words Only I Can Speak is an anthology of poetry, short stories, and autobiographical reflections written by teenagers living in the Puget Sound region. These diverse authors are united by the fact that all of them have learned from and been influenced by author Katherine Grace Bond who teaches a variety of writing classes and workshops. The following teenagers are contributing authors to this anthology: Sarah Austin, Zachary Brockman, Annika Browne, Eric Cheuk, Sarah Eberhardt, Maya Ganesan, Kayleen Gill, George Leickly, Lexi Menth, Sarah Merry, Rita Olson, Sarah Ray, Chloe Richardson, Bailey Ross, Kyrie Scarce.

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