The Writers Competition at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library is one of the oldest and most prestigious contests of its kind in the Inland Northwest. In 1987 Library Director Julie Meier perceived the need to discover and recognize talented writers in our regional community and to challenge young people and adults to take an interest in writing and to hone their skills. Another goal of the Writers Competition is to reveal great authors living in our midst.

To add a tangible reward to the honor of winning the competition, Hecla Mining Company agreed to fund cash prizes for the winning entries for the first contest in 1988. Hecla continued to fund the prizes through 2001. Beginning with the 2002 competition cash prizes were funded by a grant from the Coeur d’Alene Kiwanis Club. The Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library provide volunteers to organize the competition and host the annual Awards Ceremony.

The Writers Competition is judged by a group of volunteers composed of professional writers and editors working in North Idaho and Spokane.

Official Writers Competition entry forms and rules are available beginning Jan. 31 each year. Forms can be picked up at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library or downloaded from the website. Requests for mailed forms must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Entries must normally be returned to the Library by March 31. Judging is completed by the end of April and the Awards Ceremony is scheduled in May.

OFFICIAL RULES AND ENTRY FORMS

Click here to view and print the current rules and entry form.

2010 Writers Competition winners, left to right, back row, Nona C. Babcock, Ernest Ewing, Holly Ann Cooley–Nelson, Tina Rodeen, Kenneth A. Green, Braden James Heiner, Bethany M. Harryman, Kaye Thornbrugh, third row, Priscilla Ruth Cotton, Jessica T. Fox, Elizabeth Rognaldson, Austin A. Petellin, Abbie Hochberger, Jordyn Nichelle McCracken, Emma Ployhar, Lauren Taylor Foley, second row, Garrett Oetkin, Sydney Madsen, Hannah Rose Daniels, Katy Gribbin, Megan Schlaefer, Mollie Haman, Ashley Bennett, Marion Rognaldson, front row, Jessica Gates, Kate DuCoeur, Carolyn P. Fish, Toriana Wilson,. Not pictured: Marge Huntington, Emily Christensen and Jillian Joy Hoffman.

The winners of the 2010 Writers Competition at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library were recognized Saturday, May 22, during a ceremony hosted by the Friends of the Library.

The winners and their entries are:

¢     6–8 Fiction: First, Carolyn P. Fish, Worley, “The Fairies” – Second (tie) Kate DuCoeur, Coeur d’Alene, “Can We Go?” – Second (tie), Toriana Wilson, Coeur d’Alene, “Fairy Problems” – Third, Jessica Gates, Hayden, “Little Pond Frog.”

¢     9–11 Fiction: First, Hannah Rose Daniels, Hayden, “Fantasticalia” – Second, Sydney Madsen, Coeur d’Alene, “The Start of Golden Hills” – Third, Lauren Taylor Foley, Coeur d’Alene, “In the Eye of the Storm”

¢     12–14 Fiction:  First (tie), $100, Jordyn Nichelle McCracken, Coeur d’Alene, “Leslie and the Lorax” – First (tie), Emma Ployhar, Coeur d’Alene, “The Real Treasure Down Under” – Second, Abbie Hochberger, Dalton Gardens, “A Matter of Trust” – Third, Jillian Joy Hoffman, Hayden, “My Angel.”

¢     15–18 Fiction: First, Kaye Thornbrugh, Hayden, “Tardy Party: A Happy Accident” – Second, Bethany M. Harryman, Athol, “Fire Flight” – Third, Braden James Heiner, Hayden, “Phone Call”   

¢     19–Plus Fiction: First, Tina Rodeen, Spokane, “What Happens to Him?” 

¢     Second, Holly Ann Cooley–Nelson,  Coeur d’Alene, “The Bracelets” – Third (tie), Nona C. Babcock, Clinton, Mont., “The Bug–B–Cue” – Third (tie) Ernest Ewing, Hayden Lake, “Real Friends.”

¢     6–8 Nonfiction: First, Marion Rognaldson, Worley, “Max and I” – Second, Ashley Bennett, Hayden, “Black Eared Mouse” – Third, Mollie Haman, Dalton Gardens, “The Water Slide.”                     

¢     9–11 Nonfiction: First, Garrett Oetkin, Coeur d’Alene, “The Boy Who Could Fly” – Second, Megan Schlaefer, Post Falls, “My Trip to Las Vegas.” – Third, Katy Gribbin, Post Falls, “Facts About Three Animals.”

¢     12–14 Nonfiction: First, Austin A. Petellin, Dalton Gardens, “Vacation” – Second, Jillian Joy Hoffman, Hayden, “The Coward”– Third, Emily Christensen, Post Falls, “A Remarkable Companionship.”

¢     15–18 Nonfiction: Second (tie), Jessica T. Fox, Rathdrum, “Homelessness in America”– Second (tie), Elizabeth Rognaldson, Worley, “A Christian Perspective on Prayer In Public School” – Third, Priscilla Ruth Cotton, Moscow, “Idaho’s Unique Features.”            

¢     19–Plus Nonfiction: Second, Kenneth A. Green, Coeur d’Alene, “Execution” – Third, Marge Huntington, Spokane Valley, “Downtown.”