Winners from January 28, 2011

1st Place: The Claustrophobic Impasse by LA Henderson
This longer work from Henderson is an intense mind-body dialogue about the nature of being, the locality of the soul, and a psychological trauma of abuse. Sound like a mouthful? Despite these weighty, complex subjects, Henderson's piece is deft. Rather than broad paragraphs of exposition, Henderson relies on brief descriptors and expressive dialogue. Yet what experienced readers will appreciate most about The Claustrophobic Impasse is Henderson's subtlety--she assumes an intelligent reader who will connect the dots and bring value to the text.
Download and read The Claustrophobic Impasse.
2nd Place: What to Do When You Don't Know You're Being Written by Sara Balabanlilar
Balabanlilar gives us a lighthearted prose poem that both readers and writers can appreciate. By imploring the subject of her prose poem to engage in the artistic process, Balabanlilar suggests that any given written work may have multiple authors. Those authors may not have held the pen or tapped the keys, but are all equal contributors. And of course, Balabanlilar appeals to that most energizing time for a writer--the creation of the characters in that first, messy, beautiful draft.
Download and read What to Do When You Don't Know You're Being Written.

Featured Publication

A Pilot's Guide to Washington

This book is a guidebook for private aviators in Washington State, or folks visiting the State. Washington State is among the most beautiful and diverse states in the Union. There are flat and dry desserts, stunning basalt formations, towering mountains, rolling grass hills, thick rain forests, island archipelagos, and lakes and rivers and straits and sounds. Well, one sound. And we have roughly a billion airports to visit. (I'm exaggerating slightly.) It would be shame to be a pilot living in or visiting Washington State and not deeply partake of the richness of this opportunity.

Order the book from: Amazon.