We are very pleased to announce the winner and the finalists for the the first annual Writer’s Atelier contest! We want to thank each of the writers who submitted and trusted us with their work. We know it’s not easy to put yourself out there. Please know that every single one of you has tremendous talent. Keep writing no matter what.
Now, the part you’ve all been waiting for…
First Place: Proper Punk by Casey Crawford (pub date forthcoming)
Casey Bryant Crawford is a writer and stand up comedian. He lives in Daytona Beach, FL with his wife and four children. He does not sleep, like, ever.
Second Place: Seashells by Jesse Albatrosov
Jesse is an emerging voice in short fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. She draws inspiration from life—the day-to-day of raising children and navigating creative endeavors while writing—trying above all else to give human experiences a vibrant, visual life. She is currently achieving her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English at Southern New Hampshire University and lives in the Central Florida area with her husband and five children. You can find her on Instagram @jalbatrosov and online at www.jessealbatrosov.com.
Finalists:
Necessary Lies by Sidney Stevens
Sidney Stevens is an author with an MA in journalism from the University of Michigan. She has published essays and stories in New Works Review, Newsweek, Sure Woman, and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Her latest essay is forthcoming in an anthology called, Nature’s Healing Spirit from Sowing Creek Press. Her articles have appeared in magazines such as Travel & Leisure, Sierra and Real Woman, as well as websites including Mother Nature Network, where she is currently a regular contributor. Sidney has also co-authored four books on natural approaches to health and edited HCI Books’ The Ultimate Teacher, a collection of inspiring stories.
Off the Island by Kristin Durfee
Kristin Durfee grew up outside of Philadelphia, where an initial struggle with reading blossomed into a love and passion for the written word. She has also been a writer since a very young age, writing short stories and poems, though now is focusing on longer works. She is the authors of the novel, Four Corners and Two Worlds. Durfee currently resides outside of Orlando, FL, and when not enjoying the theme parks or Florida sun, she spends most of her time with her husband and their quirky dog. She is a member of the Florida Writers Association.
