The Schoolcraft Library had a wonderful turnout for the May 15 presentation ceremony for Tournament of Writers, according to Deb Christiansen, organizer for the writing contest as part of the Friends of the Library’s mission.
Senator Margaret O’Brien was in attendance and presented each author with a Certificate of Congratulations. Each author received a tote bag saying, “I’m a published author” and ribbons announcing their awards. Eleven judges participated this year.
Judges were instructed to select one entry for grand prize. The points are then added, and the winners are determined. Many of the categories were very close, and there was a tie for grand prize this year.
Sonya Sutherland won for her adult fiction story, “Living in the Moment.” Amelia Brown won for her graphic novel, “Can you hear me?” Both winners will receive a scholarship to attend a class at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
New this year was the Director’s Award. “We wanted to award an initiative by a young author to publish their own work. This went to Jenna Pickern, who will also receive a class at the KIA,” Christiansen said.
The book that is created from this tournament, “Small Town Anthology IV,” will be published this fall. There will be a book signing at the Schoolcraft Community Library on September 18, 2018 at 6 p.m.