Short Story Contest, Writer’s Workshops at Champaign Library

Like to write? Hone your skills and connect with other writers at our Writer’s Workshops. We launched this series in spring 2019, combining hands-on workshops taught by experts and an annual Short Story Contest for community members.

You’ll find listings of the latest workshops here, along with links to read all the contest winners.

Writer’s Workshops | Summer 2023

Wednesdays, 7 pm

• June 7, Open Mic Night, 7 pm
• June 28, Creative Writing: Unleashing Your Imagination – Jim O’Brien, 7 pm
  
  
• July 5, Writers Lounge, 7 pm
• July 19, Developing Your Writing Style – Ted Sanders, 7 pm
  
  
• Aug 16, Solving Your Story Problems – Ekta Garg, 7 pm
• Aug 30, How to Write a Novel – Molly MacRae, 7 pm

Writer’s Workshops on YouTube

You can also watch recordings of 40+ workshops on the library’s YouTube channel. Instructors include local authors Jim O’Brien, Ekta Garg, John Milas, and Molly MacRae, plus former New York Times Op-Ed page editor Trish Hall. Go to YouTube »

Short Story Contest Winners

Our 2022 Short Story Contest included entries from community members who participated in the Writer’s Workshops series. The top three stories were read publicly and the awards were announced at a ceremony in November 2022. The judges were Andrea Sielicki, Molly MacRae, and Parham Parastaran. Congratulations to the winners!

• 1st Place Winner – Jessica Launius, “Stumble” | Read story »
• 2nd Place Winner – Bethan Owen, “Thank You for Giving One Hundred and Ten Percent” | Read story »
• 3rd Place Winner – Drew Adamek, “Vacation Home” | Read story »

Winners of the 2022 Short Story Contest (from left): Drew Adamek, third place; Bethan Owen, second place; and Jessica Launius, first place.

2021 Winners

• 1st Place Winner – James F. Smith, “A Portrait of Entropy” | Read story »
• 2nd Place Winner – J.L. Barr, “Good Things” | Read story »
• 3rd Place Winner – Louise Audrieth, “An Unkindness of Ravens” | Read story »

First place winner of the 2021 Short Story Contest, James F. Smith.

2020 Winners

• 1st Place Winner – Andrea Alghalith, “Lulu” | Read story »
• 2nd Place Winner – Bethan Owen, “Seashell Bones” | Read story »
• 3rd Place Winner – Louise Audrieth, “Sarah and Me” | Read story »

First place winner of the 2020 Short Story Contest, Andrea Alghalith.

2019 Winners

• 1st Place Winner – Jessica Launius, “To the West” | Read story »
• 2nd Place Winner – Murillo Soranso, “Questions” | Read story »
• 3rd Place Winner – Julie Wagner, “First Haunt” | Read story »

Winners of the 2019 Short Story Contest (from left): Murillo Soranso, second place; Julie Wagner, third place; and Jessica Launius, first place.