Mosaic Voices

 Finalist in the New Mexico Press Women’s Annual Contest and Finalist in the  2024 Next Generation International Book Awards Competition!

 

SouthWest Writers’ newest collection of award winning prose and poetry highlights the talents of both experienced and novice wordsmiths. This delightful anthology weaves together diverse genres and viewpoints to bring readers an eclectic mix of humor, pathos, and intrigue.

These pieces were all winners in the 2024 SWW annual writing contest.

The Annual Writing Contest allows both new and seasoned writers to sharpen their skills by taking them out of their comfort zone.  Over 400 entries were received this year across 25 categories including cover art, interior art, and prose and poetry.

This year the SWW judging team was enhanced by the participation of two genre specific writer’s organizations.  Our children’s and young adult categories were judged by members of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).  The Free Verse, Limerick, and Haiku categories were adjudicated through the New Mexico State Poetry Society (NMSPS).

After October 12, 2024, you can find Mosaic Voices for sale at all SWW meetings or through the office.  You can also purchase it on Amazon.

 

 

Section One:    Haiku

  • over a red horizon – Michelle Smith
  • pale water lilies – Wanda Whittlesey-Jerome
  • deep with the earth – William Stotts

Section Two:    Short Story

  • The Wolf-Gray War Bonnet  – Robert Temple
  • Holy Child  – Maria Meier
  • The Sun and the Moon – Ramona Gault
  • Summer Snow – Amber Train
  • Manhattan Rodent Control Operations  – Roberta Summers
  • Enlighten Up  –  Bonnie Hayes
  • Effie’s Tale  – Suzanne Stauffer
  • The Dance  – Rhenna St. Clair
  • Mary and the Gypsy  – Linda Triegel
  • The Leader  – Charles Botsford
  • Soulkeeper  – KL Wagoner
  • Deliver Us from Evil  – Caleb Castleberry
  • Retirement in Hell  – Mary Therese Ellingwood
  • Don’t Forget Us  – Mark Jones
  • Hung Up  –  Ivan Calhoun
  • Stay Put  – Linda Triegel
  • The Wingless Dragon and the Death of Honor  – Helen A. Jack
  • Yellow  – Janet Greger

Section Three:  Opening Pages of a Novel

  • The Sunshine Solution  – Rosalie Rayburn
  • Running in Place: A Novel  – Maralie Waterman
  • Raptor Lands  – Jeff Otis
  • Expiration Date  – Russ Gritzo
  • The Angel of Tolleson Gap  – Michael Grady
  • Bodies of Water and Dust – Sarah Kotchian
  • Spirit of the Gazelle  – Rodney Walther
  • Mama’s Boy  – Michael Avery
  • Deadrun  –  John Riley
  • The Infinity Thieves  – T. K. Sheffield
  • Sunriver Heart  – Aiden S.Clark
  • The Valentine Lines  – T. K. Sheffield
  • The War Zone  – Barb Simmons
  • Cuffs & Kisses  – Dita Dow
  • Essex  – Charles Botsford
  • Tall Boy Sun  – Neal Holtschulte
  • The Thorn King  – Helen A. Jack
  • Sundog  – K.L. Wagoner
  • Moonlit Skies and Canyon Lies  – Carol Potenza

Section Four:   Writing for Children and Young Adults

  • Mrs. Weakly’s Weekly Challenge  – Mary Therese Ellingwood
  • Joe and the Princess  – Rosie Kern
  • Chasing a Wish  – Mary Therese Ellingwood
  • Brena the Brave  – E.A. Rickman
  • Inheritance – Hayley Nations
  • Definition of a Lady  – Rose Marie Kern

Section Five:  Free Verse Poetry

  • Notes from Jerome, Arizona  – Kathleen Holmes
  • A Cure for Procrastination  – Sarah Kotchian
  • Desert Rain  – Kathleen Holmes
  • Driving North  – Jefferson Carter
  • Notes From the Gila River  – Kathleen Holmes
  • Notes from Hawaii – Kathleen Holmes

Section Six: Nonfiction Article/Essay

  • Alaskan Migrations  – Paula Nixon
  • My Furry Feline Family  – Kathleen Hessler
  • The Dogs in My Life  – Neill McKee
  • The Easter Goat  – Rosie Kern
  • Only Champagne  – Jasmine Tritten
  • Why I Didn’t Write  – Annette Thies
  • Bullfrog Bungle  – Michelle Smith
  • Village  – Katy Hammel
  • An Unsolicited Testimonial  – Lynne Sebastian
  • Garlic  – Chalers Garcia
  • Tale of a Working Man  – Mark Fleisher
  • Blossom Ladies  – Terence Cady
  • La Posta  – Cornelia Gamlem
  • How to See an Elephant  – Theresa Nichols
  • Children of Panamint Springs  – Suzanne Stauffer

Section Seven:  Opening Pages of a Memoir

  • Changing Woman Speaks  – Brenda Beck
  • X-Rated Trout Fishing  – Michael Andryc
  • When Tough Cookies Crumble  –  Eva Nevarez St. John
  • The Tipping Point  – Claire Wilcox
  • Flying Fancy: A Fly Girl’s Memoir  – Wanda Wittlesey-Jerome
  • Beyond Brooklyn  – Edith Tarbescu

Section Eight: Limerick

  • The Belle from Aurora  – William Stotts
  • The Sage Named Olanthee – William Stotts
  • The Hack from Ohio  – William Stotts
  • The Man from Racine –  William Stotts
  • Haiku?  – Rose Marie Kern
  • Love Hurts  – Rolf Jansen

To view the list of awards and photos go to the 2024 Writing Contest Page.