The 31st Annual SouthWest Writers contest has 12 categories for novels, memoir, nonfiction, essay, short stories, children’s picture books, screenplays and poetry.
A total of $6,400 is awarded in cash prizes. Three winners in each category are selected by agents or editors unaffiliated with SouthWest Writers. The entry judged best among all categories wins the $1,500 Storyteller Award.
The deadline for entries is May 15.
If you are submitting two entries with one entry form, upload both entries on the first page (step 1) of the form at “Main Submission” and just below it, “Additional Submission.” You may enter as many times as you want, but the website accommodates only two entries at a time.
THIS YEAR’S JUDGES
Literary/Mainstream Novel – Nicole LaBombard, Rees Literary Agency, Boston, Massachusetts
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Adventure Novel – Paul Fedorko, N. S. Bienstock, New York, New York
Juvenile/Young Adult – Gemma Cooper, The Bent Agency, Brooklyn, New York
Historical/Western – Pam Strickler, Pam Strickler Agency, New Paltz, New York
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Short Story – Kristopher O’Higgins, Scribe Agency, Madison, Wisconsin
Literary/Mainstream Short Story – Chelsea Hogue, McSweeney’s, San Francisco, California
Nonfiction Book – Gina Panettieri, Talcott Notch Literary Services, Milford Connecticut
Memoir – Lindsay Edgecombe, Levine|Greenberg Literary Agency, New York, New York
Essay – Tim McKee, The Sun, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Children’s Picture Book – Paul Abdo, Abdo Publishing, Edina, Minnesota
Screenplay – Douglas J. Eboch – screenwriter, Los Angeles, California
Poetry – Timothy Green, Rattle, Studio City, California
Past Winners & Judges
2012 Storyteller Award Winner – Rachel Wierick Things We’ll Ask God
Rachel Wierick won the $1500 grand prize Storyteller Award, as well as first place in the Juvenile/Young Adult Novel category for her entry.
1. Mainstream or Literary Novel
1st Place: Susan Salom Gay, Albuquerque, NM Madame Thunderbolt
2nd Place: Karima Alavi, Abiquiu, NM In the Shadow of the Tombs
3rd Place: James Brooks, Abilene, TX Discovering Maggie
Judge: Chelsea M. Gilmore, Literary Agent, Maria Carvainis Agency
2 Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/
1st Place: David L. Brown, Rio Rancho, NM Retirement Man
2nd Place: Sue Anne Hodge, Pocatello, ID Never Touch a Dead Body
3rd Place: George Snyder, Seal Beach, CA The Farewell Heist
Judge: Thomas Colgan, Executive Editor, Penguin Books
3.Juvenile/Young Adult Novel
1st Place: Rachel Wierick, S. Pasadena, CA Things We’ll Ask God
2nd Place: Kathleen Cherry, Kitimat, BC The Funny Money Mystery
3rd Place: Marylin N. Warner, Manitou Spgs, CO The Sister System
Judge: Katherine R. Harrison, Ass’t Editor, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
4. Historical/Western Novel
1st Place: Elizabeth Rose, Galisteo, NM Poet Under A Soldier’s Hat
2nd Place: David Connell, Severna Park, MO Last Leaf To Fall
3rd Place: Donna M. Vesely, Anthony, NM Destinies Entwined Like Eagles Falling Out of the Sky
Judge: Mike Harris, Publisher, La Frontera Publishing
5. Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Short Story
1st Place: K. Eisert, Placitas, NM “To Err is Human”
2nd Place: Edward D. Anderson, Gainsville, FL “The Switchback”
3rd Place: K. Eisert, Placitas, NM “Parades”
Judge: Michelle Vega, Berkley Editorial, Berkley Publishing Group
6. Mainstream/Literary Short Story
1st Place: Karima Alavi, Abiquiu, NM “Bangkok Ghosts”
2nd Place: Martha Dudley, Staunton, VA “Johnny Liem”
3rd Place: Jan Smith, Taos, NM “Breasts”
Judge: Sarah Marshall, Editor-in-Chief, The Portland Review
7. Nonfiction Book Proposal
1st Place: Todd Griffin,Cedar Crest, NM The Model You
2nd Place: Jonathan Miller, Albuquerque, NM Law, Lust and Love
3rd Place: David L. Brown, Rio Rancho, NM How to be Safe in a Dangerous World
Judge: Sheree Bykofsky, Sheree Bykofsky Assoc. Literary Agency
8. Memoir
1st Place: Christine Dodd, Akron, OH Smoke Drink F**k
2nd Place: Gina Troisi, Dover, NH Shadows on the Sidewalk
3rd Place: R. C. Schenck, Jr, Albuquerque, NM Roaring Fork: A Memoir
Judge: Paul Rhetts, LPD Press, Rio Grande Books
9. Nonfiction Essay
1st Place: Ramona Gault, Seattle, WA “The Arroyo”
2nd Place: R.C. Schenck, Jr, Albuquerque, NM “Billy Graham and the Ice Cream Man”
3rd Place: Elizabeth Rose, Galisteo, NM “Lisa’s Road Lesson”
Judge: Leigh Ann Henion, Editor, Cold Mountain Review
10. Children’s Fiction or Nonfiction Picture Book
1st Place: Amanda Huneke, New Bern, NC How to Play on a Windy Day
2nd Place: Jacqueline Robison, Albuquerque, NM Teensy Tiny and the Magnificent Spinning All-Seeing Hat
3rd Place: Rebecca Colby, Harrogate, UK Broomstick Rodeo
Judge: Sara Sargent, Ass’t Editor, Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins Children’s Books
11. Screenplay
1st Place: Amy Lanasa, Las Cruces, NM When You Marry the Man…
2nd Place: Chip Casner, Flagstaff, AZ Easter Island
3rd Place: Briley Webb, Scottsdale, AZ A Picture is Worth
Judge: Greg Gertmenian, General Manager, Abbot Entertainment
12. Poetry
1st Place: Phyllis Hoge, Albuquerque, NM “Peacetime”
2nd Place: Darrell L. Gasaway, Alto, NM “Stew for Two”
3rd Place: Phyllis Hoge, Albuquerque, NM “Surfaces”
Judge: Lisa Lewis, Cimarron Review
2011 Storyteller Award Winner
Luise Putcamp, Jr., Salt Lake City UT, Confessions of a Card-Carrying Cadaver
Won first place in the Personal Essay/Column category
Judge: Sharen Marten-Brown, Art and Editorial Director, Ampichellis E-Books.
1. Mainstream or Literary Novel
1st Place: Holly S. Warah, Dubai UAE, Married to the Mansours
2nd Place: Colleen M. Story, Idaho Falls ID, Loreena’s Gift
3rd Place: Robert Schladale, Sacramento CA, A Place in the Land
Judge: Diana Finch, Diana Finch Literary Agency
2. Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/
1st Place: Dennis Jang, Santa Fe NM, Still Life in a Red Dress
2nd Place: Thomas J. Zuzich, Chicago IL, The Voices
3rd Place: Anne E. Kyle, Tulsa OK, Exile
Judge: Robert Brown, Ampichellis Ebooks
3. Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Novel
1st Place: Jennifer C. Martin, Peoria IL, Out of Order
2nd Place: Kevin Wolf, Littleton CO, A Town Called Vengeance
3rd Place: William Moore, Bellingham WA, These Sunken Eyes
Judge: Danielle Stockley, Penguin Group
4. Historical Novel
1st Place: Lorena Hughes, Albuquerque NM, The Black Letter
2nd Place: Michelle Sauceda-Halliday, Albuquerque NM, The Sofer’s Pen
3rd Place: Kathleen Cherry, Kitimat, B.C., Canada, To Marry an Earl
Judge: Katherine Pelz, Penguin Group
5. Middle Grade/Young Adult Novel
1st Place: R. E. Steedman, Canandaigua NY, Falling
2nd Place: Sara Bautista, Albuquerque NM, To Jocelyn With Love
3rd Place: Beth Christopher, Broomfield CO, Disappear
Judge: Rachel Abrams, HarperCollins Children’s Books
6. Mainstream or Literary Short Story
1st Place: Holly S. Warah, Dubai, UAE, “My Brother’s Wife”
2nd Place: Debra Border, Lawton OK, “One Night in Abilene”
3rd Place: Holly S. Warah, Dubai, UAE, “Bride Price”
Judge: Phong Nguyen, Editor, Pleiades
7. Memoir Book
1st Place: Bonnie Lee Black, Taos NM, Patchwork: A Memoir of Mali
2nd Place: Donald E. Moss, Clark CO, Phoenix of the Mind
3rd Place: Desiree Perriguey, Albuquerque NM, The Struggle
Judge: Patricia Moosbrugger, Literary Agency
8. Memoir Article
1st Place: Kristin Barendsen, Santa Fe NM, “Marilena”
2nd Place: Gabriella P. Savarese, Tijeras NM, “Necklaces in the Eucalyptus Tree”
3rd Place: Kristin Barendsen, Santa Fe NM, “Sacrificial Man”
Judge: Tim McKee, The Sun Magazine
9. Nonfiction Essay or Article
1st Place: Shanti E. Bannwart, Santa Fe NM, “Solitude”
2nd Place: Mary E. Kienholz, Spokane WA, “Fannie’s Mea Culpa”
3rd Place: Robert C. Schenck, Jr., Corrales NM, “The Ghost of Chris LeDoux”
Judge: Ashley Biggers, New Mexico Magazine
10. Personal Essay/Column
1st Place: Luise Putcamp, Jr., Salt Lake City UT, “Confessions of a Card-Carrying Cadaver”
2nd Place: Elizabeth Rose, Galisteo NM, “Lies Streaming”
3rd Place: Mary Kay Chapman, Albuquerque NM, “I’m Not Scared of Dying, But”
Judge: Stephanie Hainsfurther, abqARTS Magazine
11. Nonfiction Book
1st Place: Shanti E. Bannwart, Santa Fe NM, Dancing on One Foot
2nd Place: James Thompson, Rio Rancho NM, The Ethics of Chaos
3rd Place: Scott Tyson, Albuquerque, NM, The Unobservable Universe
Judge: Brandi Bowles, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, Inc.
12. Children’s Fiction or Nonfiction Picture Book
1st Place: Linda Tripp, Albuquerque NM, Who’s My Momma?
2nd Place: Jennifer Buchet, Germantown MD, An Extraordinary Talent for Jumping
3rd Place: Marijanet Doonan, Pinehurst NC, The Ayudante
Judge: Jayne Carapezzi, HarperCollins Children’s Books
13. Screenplay
1st Place: Helen S. Brodeur, Albuquerque NM, Las Tres Madrinas
2nd Place: Eric Schneider, La Junta CO, 1793
3rd Place: Phaedra Greenwood, Arroyo Hondo NM, Devil Weeds
Judge: Michael David Jensen, www.TopFilmFestivals.
14. Poetry
1st Place: Katherine Seluja, Santa Fe NM, Of Calamine and Honey
2nd Place: Larry Greenly, Albuquerque NM, The Promise
3rd Place: Susan Switzer, Albuquerque NM, Contemplating the Crepuscular
Judge: Ruth Moose, The Rambler Magazine
Storyteller Award Winner – 2010
Charles Greaves, Hush Money,
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/
1. Mainstream or Literary Novel
1st Place: Sandra Hunter, Leaving to Come Home, Woodland Hills, CA
2nd Place:Steve Gardner, Winter Rye, Lockhart, TX
3rd Place: Susan Salluce Shingle, Out of Breath, Springs, CA
Judge: Gabe Robinson, HarperCollins, New York, New York
2. Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/
1st Place: Charles Greaves, Hush Money, Santa Fe, NM
2nd Place: John Taylor, Land of a Thousand Dances, Rio Vista, CA
3rd Place: A. P. Greenwood, Navfac, Houston, TX
Judge: Thomas Colgan, Penguine Group USA, New York, New York
3. Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Novel
1st Place: Jennifer Martin, The Spirit Guides: An Insider’s Look at the Afterlife, Peoria, IL
2nd Place: Paul Kippert, Savior, Santa Fe, NM
3rd Place: David DeLee, Stede Bonnet, Amherst, NH
Judge: Linn Prentis, Linn Prentis Agency, New York, New York
4. Historical Fiction
1st Place: Charles Greaves, Hard Twisted, Santa Fe, NM
2nd Place: JimDuggins, Slave Stealer, Rancho Mirage, CA
3rd Place: Elizabeth Rose, Hugh’s Footprint, Galisteo, NM
Judge: Jessica Papin, Dystel and Goderich Literary Management, New York, New York
5. Middle Grade/Young Adult Novel
1st Place: Kathleen Cherry, Everyday Heroine, Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada
2nd Place: Laura Cumbie, Lucky, Peachtree City, GA
3rd Place: Lisa French, The Year in the Tent, Amarillo, TX
Judge: Elizabeth Evans, The Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, New York, New York
6. Memoir Book
1st Place: Shanti Elke Bannwart, Dancing on One Foot, Santa Fe, NM
2nd Place: Margaret Porter Larson, Lightning, Blood & Ink: Essential Elements for a Wiser Woman,Laredo, TX
3rd Place: Marguerite Kearns, Warning: Persons Procuring or Concealing Escape of Prisoners Are Subject to Prosecution and Imprisonment, Santa Fe, NM
Judge: Jon Sternfeld, The Irene Goodman Literary Agency, New York, New York
7. Memoir Article
1st Place: Peggy Spencer, Stillborn,
2nd Place: Lisa Cerasoli, You’re So Nice, Marquette, MI
3rd Place: Deborah Hunter, Kevin’s Posse, Tulsa, OK
Judge: Rebecca McGill, Phoebe, A Journal of Literature & Art, Fairfax, Virginia
8. Mainstream or Literary Short Story
1st Place: Penelope Stowell, Street Legal, Pagosa Springs, CO
2nd Place: Robert Schladale, Equalizing the Pressure, Sacramento, CA
3rd Place: Elena Sanchez, When I Die, Albuquerque, NM
Judge: Chris Cottrell, The Portland Review, Portland, Oregon
9. Nonfiction Essay or Article
1st Place: Robert Schenck, Jr., MD, The Magic Christian, Corrales, NM
2nd Place: Henry Finney, The Scent of Ponderosa Pines, Los Alamos, NM
3rd Place: Larry Greenly, Stalking the Ethereal Wasabi, Albuquerque, NM
Judge: Leigh Ann Henion, Cold Mountain Review, Boone, North Carolina
10. Personal Essay/Column
1st Place: Stephanie Nakhleh, ¡Seamos Amigos!, Albuquerque, NM
2nd Place: Carol Penn-Romine, Latchkey Spiders and Other Improbable Things, Burbank, CA
3rd Place: Murray Edwards, Easter Photo, Clyde, TX
3rd Place: Karen Keese, Moon in the Balance, Los Lunas, NM
Judge: Kathleen Struck, GlobalPost.com,
11. Nonfiction Book
1st Place: Brian Frieder, How to Reform Our Public Schools in Six Years, Los Ranchos, NM
2nd Place: Larry Greenly, Eugene Bullard, Albuquerque, NM
3rd Place: Lulynne Streeter, Frozen Lives, Seabrook, TX
Judge: Marjorie Preston, Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Brigantine, New Jersey
12. Children’s Picture Book (Fiction or Nonfiction)
1st Place: Amanda Huneke, Monster on the Loose, New Bern, NC
2nd Place: Rebeca Colby, The Mousequerade, Harrogate, United Kingdom
3rd Place: Monica Harris, The Magician’s Physician, Kalamazoo, MI
Judge: Paul Abdo, Abdo Publishing Group, Edina, Minnesota
13. Screenplay
1st Place: Mary Haarmeyer, Daggers Draw, Lovington, NM
2nd Place: Susan Murphy, The Lion in the Backyard, Cerrillos, NM
3rd Place: Chip Casner, Poor August, Flagstaff, AZ
Judge: Tim Lambert, Abbot Screenplay Management, Pasadena, California
14. Poetry
1st Place: Catherine Ferguson, The Mona Lisa, Galisteo ,NM
2nd Place: Catherine Ferguson, Vale mas tarde que nunca, Galisteo, NM
3rd Place: Karen McKinnon, Leaving, Sandia Park, NM
Judge: Lisa Lewis, Cimarron Review, Stillwater, Oklahoma