By Sue Moore
The second annual Tournament of Writers sponsored by the Friends of the Schoolcraft Library held an announcement party before Christmas to name winners and pass out prizes–pens that write at any angle, upside down included.
The grand prize winner was Christine Webb for her adult poem, “The Mirror,” for which she received a gold fountain pen. She also took first place in adult non-fiction and adult fiction categories, according to Debra Christiansen, mastermind of the tournament.
Interest in writing for the tourney has grown fast since its first year, with 71 entries as opposed to 19 in 2014. Most of the entries were from Schoolcraft. There were a couple from Portage and Kalamazoo.
The large number of entries required ten judges who worked independently. Christiansen added up judges’ scores to determine winners.
Besides the prizes, a book of the writings will be published via print on demand and sold on Amazon.com. A Tournament of Writers book signing has been scheduled for February 3, at the library from 5:30-7 p.m.
First place winners are as follows:
Junior non-fiction – Josiah Stuart
Junior fiction – C. Gerfen
Teen poetry – Andres DeVries
Teen non-fiction – Rachel Hostetler
Teen fiction – Marena White
Adult poetry – Allison Mechling
Adult non-fiction – Christine Webb
Adult fiction – Christine Webb
Senior poetry – Linda Gage
Senior non-fiction – AJ Hartman
Senior fiction – AJ Hartman
Cover winner – Mark Lego