Unknown Writer’s Contest Winners 2010
An abused woman stopped an angry young guy in rehab from beating up a drunk old man; a wife remembered the many colors of her marriage, from the Peace Corps in Africa, to the wedding dress she made on her Singer sewing machine; and a paranoid shopper accused us of following her into the grocery store and pulled out a knife to defend her produce. These were just a few of the stories that had us crying and laughing at the Unknown Writers’ Awards on Sunday, April 18th. The clubhouse was packed with some 50 people who came to celebrate and support the hidden writing talent of Colorado.
This year’s contest offered a delightful twist. A Denver mother, Leticia Tanguma and her daughter, Sandina, earned a total of three prizes. Leticia placed second in the nonfiction category and third in poetry. Leticia is an artist who works with community members to create murals on themes including homelessness and human dignity. Her daughter, Sandina, won second place in poetry and is a student working toward a degree in writing and directing for film.
Poetry Category:
- First Prize: Jenny Wrenn of Durango for The Elk Came in the Night
- Second Prize: Sandina Tanguma of Denver for Time
- Third Prize: Leticia Tanguma of Denver for Destination Unknown
- Honorable Mention: Jenny Wrenn of for If I Knew You Better
- Honorable Mention: Renee Rivera of for If I Believed
Nonfiction Category:
- First Prize: Quinn Reed of Berthoud for The Color of Love
- Second Prize: Leticia Tanguma of Denver for Archangel
- Third Prize: Ginny Tuft of Denver for Sonny’s Prayer
- Honorable Mention: Colleen E. Gaul of Connifer for Heart of a Champion
Fiction Category:
- First Prize: Narcy Hogan of Highlands Ranch for Fall Begins in Ernest
- Second Prize: Adare Elyse Discher of Connifer for The Spy--A Brief Narrative with a Dark Twist
- Third Prize: Jacqueline Kharouf of Denver for This Is Impulsive
This year’s partnership with The Gathering Place was a great success, bringing in 14 submissions, including 3 winning entries. Judges who attended the training with University of Denver writing instructors Eliana Schonberg and Geoffrey Bateman found the skills learned invaluable. It has taken many dedicated volunteers to make this contest happen. A special thanks to Cara Lopez Lee, Barbara Wright, Jenna Browning, Diana Sher, Kelli Mlinarik Marko, Jen Reeder, Faith Marcovecchio, Pat Pascoe, Kimberly Field, Nan O’Neal Campbell, and all the judges who volunteered their time, effort and expertise to this inspirational event.