Winners of the 2018 Writer's Contest Announced

Published October 24, 2018

A public reception and writers contest reading will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Commons of the John W. Deans Collaborative Learning Center (Building 15) at Jefferson Community College (JCC) to recognize the winners of the 2018 North Country Writers Contest. In June, the JCC English department began seeking entries for short fiction, essay/nonfiction and poetry.

The 2018 North Country Writers Contest winners are:
* Short Fiction Winner: Barbara Briggs Ward, of Ogdensburg, “Sleigh Bells Ring Again”
* Essay/Nonfiction Winner: Michele A. Reed, of Oswego, “Perennial Love”
* Poetry Winner: Jonnell R. Liebl, of Pulaski, “Wearing White in Rain”

Chris L. Brock, of Watertown, received honorable mention for his fiction entry, “Bigfoot Walks Into Town.” Brock is a previous writer’s contest winner. Michael L. Keck, of Black River, received honorable mention for his essay entry, “The Old Brother.” Keck is also a previous writer’s contest winner. Kiel M. Gregory, of Watertown, received honorable mention for his poem, “Stealing from Grandmother.”

Winning writers were awarded $100 while those receiving honorable mention were awarded $25. All three contestants are invited to read their winning entry at the Writers Contest Reading and reception.

The writers contest reading and reception are part of a week-long North Country Writers Festival at JCC to be held Monday, October 29 through Friday, November 2, 2018. The public is invited to participate in the following Writers Festival events: 

Monday, October 29
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) Kick-off
Challenge: To pen a 50,000 word novel by 11:59 p.m. on November 30
12:20- 1:15 p.m./ Room 15-223
Deans Collaborative Learning Center

Tuesday, October 30
Campus Writers Read
Featuring faculty Brian Topping, CJ Southworth, and Laurie Petersen
12:30-1:50 p.m. / Room 6-002
Jules Center (Building 6)

Wednesday, October 31
Brown Bag Poetry Workshop
12:20-1:15 p.m. / Room 6-110
Jules Center (Building 6)

Thursday, November 1
Writers Contest Coffeehouse Reading
7:00-9:00 p.m. / Fireside Commons
Deans Collaborative Learning Center

Friday, November 2
Visiting Author Reading
Poet Charlie Bondhus
12:20-1:15 p.m. / Room 6-002
Jules Center (Building 6)

For more information about the writers contest reading and festival events, contact the JCC English department at 315-786-2328.

The North Country Writers Contest is sponsored by the Jefferson Community College English Department, Faculty Student Association, and Campus Life Committee.