WASHINGTON COUNTY – Washington County writers are invited to submit to many writing events this spring as well as a writing contest aimed at local students, one aimed at local adults as well as those living within the Intermountain West.
A summary of all of the events, as well as website links for more information about them, are below:
5th ANNUAL WASHINGTON COUNTY YOUTH CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST
Submissions accepted Feb. 1 through April 15.
Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 12.
Entry is free
The contest theme this year is “Reaching New Heights,” which can be taken literally (as in climbing a real mountain) or figuratively (as in achieving goals and dreams). Students in grades 1st through 12th entering the contest may submit work in two categories, poetry (30 lines or fewer, 12-line minimum) and personal essay (300 words or fewer). The contest will feature four age divisions, 1st-3rd grade, 4th-6th grade, 7th-9th grade, 10th-12th grade. Each student can submit one entry per category. There will be 1st-3rd place winners in each division for each category and a few honorable mentions.
To submit to the contest, click this link.
PA’RUS POETS ADULT CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST!
Submissions accepted Feb. 1 through April 15.
Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 12.
$5 entry fee per entry
Anyone ages 18 and older living in the Intermountain West can enter the contest, which features the same two categories as the students, poetry and personal essay, as well as the same theme of “Reaching New Heights.” Each adult can submit one entry per category.
To submit to the adult contest, click the following link.
There is a $5 fee per entry in the adult contest. Entries will not be considered if the entry fee has not been paid. The entry fee is simply to raise funds for the prize money and other costs associated with the contest. We are a non-profit entity.
You can pay your entry fee one of the following ways:
Pay on the contest EventBrite site, or pay via check, sent to:
Reuben Wadsworth
℅ Hurricane Middle School
395 N. 200 West, Room 205
Hurricane, UT 84737
Any questions about the contests can be directed to contests chair, Reuben Wadsworth, or adult contest chair, Jenny Drummond.
POETRY IN THE PARK
Friday, March 4, 2022 at 9 a.m., Zion National Park Nature Center
Poetry in the Park welds nature and poetry beautifully in its setting at the Zion National Park Nature Center before the crowds start coming. Sponsored and hosted by the Utah State Poetry Society and Zion National Park Forever Project, this year the event will feature award-winning poet Lola Haskins. The experience will also include a guided nature hike, silent poetry writing time and time to share the poetry participants wrote that day and receive feedback on it. Tuition for the event is $50 for adults and $20 for students accompanied by their teachers. To register and for more information, visit their website.
The deadline to receive a free park pass with registration is February 20.
For the latest information on the contests and Poetry in the Park, please follow their Facebook page.
RED ROCK WRITERS SEMINAR
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The 2022 Redrock Writers Creative Writing Seminar in St. George, held Saturday, March 5 as a sister event to Poetry in the Park, will offer a very different experience with poet Lola Haskins! You’ll also enjoy this year’s other genres: a workshop on secrets of flash fiction & nonfiction with Tim Keller and one on the key to writing great song lyrics with musician Denis Feehan. Students are free with their teacher’s recommendation.
For more information and to register, visit their website.
HERITAGE WRITER’S GUILD MEMOIR SEMINAR
Saturday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
St. George Branch Library, 88 W. 100 South
The memoir seminar will feature creative nonfiction writer Dorothy Allred Solomon presenting a two-hour session entitled: Me, My Memoir, and I: Writing Personal Histories that Make a Difference.
“Every story requires conflict to drive the plot and deepen characterization,” said Solomon. “Your real-life angst can be a galvanizing force in your writing.”
In this workshop, she will show you how to transform trauma into drama to craft a personal history your posterity and others will want to read.
Dorothy is an award-winning author of two memoirs: In My Father’s House and Daughter of the Saints: Growing Up in Polygamy (originally published as Predators, Prey, and Other Kinfolk). Her creative nonfiction titles include The Sisterhood: Inside the Lives of Mormon Women and her most recent work Finding Karen: An Ancestral Mystery.
HERITAGE WRITER’S GUILD WRITING FOR CHILDREN WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 26, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
St. George Branch Library, 88 W. 100 South
Anyone interested in writing for young children should attend this workshop featuring Julie Olson, who has written and illustrated fourteen books and illustrated many others. She will explain her process and share information about the book market.
Among Julie’s most popular books are Discover America from Sea to Shining Sea and Hip Hip Hooray for Annie McRae. You can learn more about Julie by visiting her web page or go to http://julieolsonbooks.com/. “Stories,” Julie says, “are a fundamental characteristic of humanity. They connect us, teach us, and inspire us. So be brave. Share your stories.”
At the end of each workshop, there will be a special drawing for ten free books selected by the presenters. Seating is limited. Pre Registration is encouraged. To register, click on the purple register, visit the Heritage Writers Guild website.
Local artists interested in illustrating children’s books should contact Marilyn Richardson or phone 435-218-6152 for details on displaying a sample of their work at the March 26th workshop.