2008 Contest Rules : Judges' Bios : 2007 Winners : Publication Policy
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San Antonio Writers Guild Annual Writing Contest

2008 CONTEST OVERVIEW

The 2008 San Antonio Writers' Guild annual writing contest featured five categories in the fiction, non-fiction, and poetry fields and was open to all writers. The deadline for entry was the first Thursday of October. Cash prizes were given in each category. The contest was open to members of the San Antonio Writers' Guild and to non-members. Winners were announced Dec. 4th.

The 2008 Contest Winners Have Been Announced

First Chapter of a Novel (Judge: David Liss)

1. Shannon Morgan, "Jack"
2. Karen Dodwell, "Art of Living"
3. Marjorie Brody, "Twisted"
Finalist Diane LaCombe, "Amanda"
Finalist Chelsea Lewis, "Between Blood and Water"

Poetry (Judge: Jo LeCoeur)

1. Rebecca Burroughs, "Sitting Beneath Balancing Rock"
2. Sheri Anderson, "My Aunt's House on Charles Street"
3. Rose Marie Eash, "Sweet Tea"
Finalist Sheri Anderson, "Here"
Finalist Rose Marie Eash, "Love Undefined"

Memoir (Judge: Yvette Benavides)

1. (Winner of the Lorraine Berenson Memorial Award) Jessica Junqueira, "Loss, Friendship and the Pastoral World"
2. Jean Jackson, "Breasts"
3. Doris Dianne Frazar, "Night of the Bear"
Finalist Jessica Junqueira, "Just Like Jane"
Finalist Diane LaCombe, "What Do You See"

First Chapter of a Non-Fiction Book (Judge: Yvette Benavides)

1. Andrea N. Messenger, "If There is a Difference"
2. Jan Sherbin, "A Woman's War"
3. Marcia Dutton, "On My Way from Here to There"

Short Story (Judge: Jay Brandon)

1. Stewart Smith, "Sitting the Death Watch"
2. Shannon Morgan, "Burn"
3. Diane LaCombe, "The Kraliok Incident"
Finalist Glenn T. Bernard, "Gramps and Abuelito"
Finalist Andrea N. Messenger, "Internet Video"

2008's JUDGES' BIOS

Poetry — Jo LeCoeur
Jo LeCoeur is a poet and educator who writes extensively on Southern writers and Southern culture. Her books of poetry include Medicine Wood, Blues in a Red-eye Glass, Choc’lit Milk and Whiskey Voices and Blue Orleans. She teaches English and creative writing at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.
Get more info or buy Medicine Woods »

Short Fiction — Jay Brandon
Jay Brandon is a successful San Antonio attorney and mystery novelist who has won accolades for infusing his gripping suspense stories with true-to-life legal details. His books include Running with the Dead, Grudge Match and Silver Moon. His 15th novel, Milagro Lane, is due out this fall.
Get more info or buy Jay Brandon's books »

First Chapter of a Novel — David Liss
Edgar Award-winner David Liss is a writer of best-selling historical thrillers, the latest of which, The Whiskey Rebels, is due out this fall. San Antonio-based Liss’ second novel, The Coffee Trader, was named a New York Times Notable Book and one of the New York Public Library 25 Books to Remember for 2003.
Get more info or buy David Liss' books »

Non-fiction — Yvette Benavides
Yvette Benavides teaches creative writing and Mexican-American literature at San Antonio’s Our Lady of the Lake University. Her articles and poetry have appeared in the Texas Observer, the San Antonio Express-News and Latina magazine. She also co-hosts Texas Public Radio’s Texas Matters and contributes to NPR’s Latino USA.

2007 CONTEST WINNERS

The jud

ges have rendered their decisions and the Guild is proud to announce the Contest Winners for 2007. We thank all who entered and remind everyone that the 2008 contest is closer than you think. Plan now to meet next year's October deadline.

Fiction - Novel, 1st Chapter

Rebecca Ugolini - 3rd
Marjorie Brody - 2nd
D. P. Hymel - 1st

Fiction - Short Story

Jasmine Ojeda - 3rd
Marjorie Brody & Rebecca Ugolini - Tie for 1st

Poetry

Ernest Sanchez, Sr. 3rd
Jasmine Ojeda 2nd
Jean Jackson 1st

Children & Young Adult

Sid Hamer 2nd
Marjorie Brody 1st

Non-Fiction

Jean M Jackson earned the Lorraine Berenson Memorial Award

PUBLICATION POLICY

The San Antonio Writers' Guild reserves anthology publication rights for a period of one year from date of contest deadline for all winning entries without further compensation to the entrants. SAWG will, upon written request from the entrant, release all holds and return full publication rights to the writer. Although it is SAWG's intent to publish an anthology using, among other material, contest winning entries, it is under no obligation to do so. Unfortunately, the San Antonio Writers' Guild is not in a position to offer additional compensation to writers appearing in any anthology edited and/or published by the Guild.