The First Page

This category involves the author submitting the first page of their novel, and only the first page. It must grab the attention of the judges and impress them with the start of the story. Winners for 2022 are:

• First Place: Wraith by Rick Just of Boise, Idaho
• Second Place: Prairie Winds by Carol Kjar of Rapid City, South Dakota
• Third Place: The Dutiful Daughter by Sherry Briscoe of Boise, Idaho

There were also several honorable mentions:

• Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks of Cataldo, Idaho
• Bay of Secrets by Carrie Stuart Parks of Cataldo, Idaho
• Forget Me Not by Michael Jacobson of Clark Fork, Idaho
• Stratos by Lani Forbes of Boise, Idaho
• RESCUE, The Adventures of Boatson Bill by William Baker of Eagle, Idaho
• Undo 22 by Jim Moore of Meridian, Idaho
• Nothingman by Vaughn Clark of Boise, Idaho
• With a Little Luck by Nancie Turner of Meridian, Idaho
• I Hold the Key by Nancie Turner of Meridian, Idaho

A big thanks to everyone who entered this category.

Short Story

The short story category focuses on short fiction and must not only grab the judges’ attention but give them a complete story with a satisfactory resolution.

Here are this year’s winners:

• First Place: Simon’s Train by Keely Walker of Meridian, Idaho
• Second Place: The Rose Room by Eric Wallace of Eagle, Idaho
• Third Place: Dorrie’s Last Story by Dorothy Read of Boise, Idaho

There were also several great stories that get an Honorable Mention:

• Imagination and Curiosity by Michael Jacobson of Clark Fork, Idaho
• Generations by Carol Kjar of Rapid City, South Dakota
• Sydney Pinkman Is My Friend by Frank Lester of Boise, Idaho
• The Tattoo by Frank Lester of Boise, Idaho

A big thanks to everyone who entered this category.

Novel, First 10 Pages

This is a submission of the first 10 pages of a novel. It must impress the judges, grab their attention, and start to move the story right away.

Here are this year’s winners:

• First Place: Bay of Secrets by Carrie Stuart Parks of Cataldo, Idaho
• Second Place: a tie! Stratos by Lani Forbes of Boise, Idaho and When Knowing Comes by Kelly McConnell of Boise, Idaho
• Third Place: A Million Ways to Die by Julie Howard of Boise, Idaho

And the Honorable Mentions:

• Emma by Rick Just of Boise, Idaho
• All the After by Vicki Volden of San Jose, California
• Klara’s Journey by Khaliela Wright of Viola, Idaho
• The Bane by Steven Dill of Eagle, Idaho

Nonfiction Memoir/Essay

The non-fiction memoir/essay category is for non-fiction, and must impress the judges and given them a satisfactory, complete story. 

Here is this year’s winner: 

• First Place: A Day by Rah Allison of Jordan Valley, Oregon

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Poetry

This category is for poetry of all types. This year, we got some excellent entries! Here are this year’s winners:

• First Place: River People by Margaret Koger of Boise, Idaho
• Second Place: Piano Recital by Lori Williams of Ketchum, Idaho
• Third Place: Sixty Climbs for Sixty Years by Lori Williams of Ketchum, Idaho

Honorable Mention:

• The Table by Crystle Lynne of Boise, Idaho
• June by Rah Allison of Jordan Valley, Oregon
• Oregon Coast by Lori Williams of Ketchum, Idaho
• Wagon Days by Lori Williams of Ketchum, Idaho
• Idaho Love Song by Lori Williams of Ketchum, Idaho
• I Know a Place by Lori Williams of Ketchum, Idaho
• Luna’s Lament by Celia Scully of Boise, Idaho
• How Falling in Love is Like Origami by Celia Scully of Boise, Idaho
• Civil Engineering by Vaughn Clark of Boise, Idaho
• Yet Another Memorial to Some Bleeping War by Vaughn Clark of Boise, Idaho
• Ah, Sugar Beets by Vaughn Clark of Boise, Idaho
• Submit by Barbara Olic-Hamilton of Boise, Idaho

Thanks to everyone who entered this year!

We’ll be back next year with our annual contest. Be sure to enter early! We can’t wait to see your stories, your poetry, and the best you have to offer.  See you next year!