The Arkansas Writers group held its 80th Annual Writers Conference on June 1 at the Hilton Garden in North Little Rock.
A major part of each year’s conference is announcing the winners of the AWC Contests. This year there were five contests, with 26 overall awards — 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, plus Honorable Mentions. Eight WCCW members were among the winners.
The winners of each contest are listed below. Winners who are members of White County Creative Writers are indicated with an arrow. Congratulations to all!
1. Carl J. Iannacone Memorial Award
$150/$100/$75
1st place: Bambi L. George. Kismet and Kenzie
2nd place: Del Garrett. Family Prayer for Robbie
3rd place: C. Allan Butkus. Gathering of Clouds
1st Hon. Mention: Gary L. Breezeel. Relative Cupidity
2nd Hon Mention: Desiree Stipp-Bethune. Christmas Traditions
3rd Hon Mention: John McPherson. Firecracker Christmas
2. Wow! Press Award
$100/$75/$25
1st place: Don Money. Burden to Bear
2nd place: Desiree’ Stipp-Bethune. Serious Promises
3rd place: Bambi L. George. A Promise Made to Myself
1st Hon Mention: Kimberly Vernon. Promises
2nd Hon Mention: Del Garrett. Another Year, Another Promise; This Time, One That I’d Keep
3rd Hon Mention: Gary Rodgers. A Promise Too Hard to Keep
3. 80th Anniversary Poetry Contest Award
$100/$75/$25
1st place: Rickey Pittman. Arkansas Gypsy
2nd place: John McPherson. Visiting the Shrine
3rd place: Del Garrett. Grow with Arkansas
4. Mystery Award
$100/$75/$25
1st place: Shelby Hogate. Illuminated Truths
2nd place: Gary L. Breezeel. A Light in the Darkness
3rd place: Rickey Pittman. Mysterious Lights in Ozark Meadow
1st Hon Mention: Gary Rodgers. Invasion
2nd Hon Mention: Del Garrett. Mystery Lights or Just Lightheaded
3rd Hon Mention: Dr. Rebecca Foster. The Harvest
5. Dusty Richards Memorial Prose Award
$100/$75/$25
1st place: Kimberly Vernon. The Rustler’s Repentance
2nd place: Don Money. Ol’ Switcharoo
3rd place: Gary L. Breezeel. Double-Dealing at the Diamond D
1st Hon Mention: Sara Gipson. The Finley Barn Raising
2nd Hon Mention: Del Garrett. Justice in a Dusty Town
Congratulations to all winners. And special thanks to Arkansas Writers for sponsoring these contests.