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ILLINOIS EMERGING WRITERS COMPETITION

General Information

The purpose of the Illinois Emerging Writers Competition is to promote creative writing, encourage local writers while providing a unique opportunity and outlet for recognizing new literary talent. Winners receive cash prizes and have their works submitted for review and possible publication in the Illinois literary magazines -- Downstate Story, Ninth Letter, Quiddity, RHINO and Springfield Poets and Writers. The final judges of the competition are:

  • Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award - Kevin Stein, Illinois Poet Laureate, and
  • James Jones Short Story Award - Ray Elliott, Illinois author and founding member and past President of the James Jones Literary Society.

Judging and Judges

Many literary professionals take time out of their busy schedules to help judge the competition. Thanks to all of the following who donate their time and talent to the core judging process: Ashley E. Booth, Melissa Dessent, Russell Evatt, Wanda Fisher, Lindsay Harmon, Helen Howe, Allan Johnston, Judy Jordan, Allen Lanham, Peter Lucas, Elsie Martinez, Arlyn Miller, Matthew Minicucci, Rashidah Jaami’ Muhammad, Heather Salus, Christy Stillwell, Diana Brawley Sussman, Mary Tuytschaevers, Jackie White..

Brief History

In 2005, the first year of the Illinois Emerging Writers Competition, the competition was solely dedicated to poetry and the Illinois Center for the Book partnered with Kevin Stein, the Illinois Poet Laureate. In 2006, the Illinois Center for the Book also partnered with the James Jones Literary Society to offer a short story award. Thanks to Kevin Stein, the Illinois Poet Laureate and the generous funding from the James Jones Literary Society, the Illinois Emerging Writers Competition now offers two awards - the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award and the James Jones Short Story Award.

Questions

If you have any questions about the Illinois Emerging Writers Competition, please contact Bonnie Matheis, the Coordinator of the Illinois Center for the Book.

2012 Illinois Emerging Writers Competition

Forms and guidelines for the competition will be made available in February 2012. The deadline to enter is June 30, 2012. Judging is blind and consists of three rounds. Winners will be officially announced in early November 2012.

2011 Illinois Emerging Writers Competition

Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award winners

1st -- Christine Pacyk of Arlington Heights for her poem Postcards from Paris, Valdosta
2nd  -- Jonathan R. Veach of Carbondale for his poem A Death in Baton Rouge
3rd -- George Tanner of Yates City for his poem A mercy killing

James Jones Short Story Award winners

1st -- Paul Heinz of Elmhurst for his short story Water Music
2nd -- Irene Sedeora of Morton for her short story Arenal
3rd -- Camille Bromley of Bloomington for her short story The World is Made of Hello and Goodbye

2010 Illinois Emerging Writers Competition

Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award winners

1st -- Keli Stewart of Oak Park for her poem after birth
2nd  -- Elizabeth Ziglinski of Marion for her poem Echoes
3rd -- Andrew Galligan of Chicago for his poem Leaf Dried to Muddy Drain

James Jones Short Story Award winners

1st -- Cristina Carrera of Summit for her short story Stray Dogs
2nd -- Tacuma R. Roeback of Chicago for his short story Catharsis/Cox
3rd -- Janice Croom of Bloomington for her short story Twenty-five Years is Silver

2009 Illinois Emerging Writers Competition

Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award winners

1st -- Vincent Francone of Chicago for his poem Chicago
2nd  -- Valerie Wallace of Chicago for her poem The Poem Stays
3rd -- Mary Hotlen of Rockford for her poem Year of Psalms

James Jones Short Story Award winners

1st -- Baird Harper of Chicago for his story Futures
2nd -- Colby Cuppernull of Chicago for his story At the End of the Day
3rd -- Deanna Sue Cording of Galena for her story Driving Lessons

Past Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Winners