Short Story Contest, Writer’s Workshops at Champaign Library

Champaign Public Library’s  first Short Story Contest drew a pool  of wonderful entries by community members, including participants in the Writer’s Workshops series held in February and March. On April 11, as part of National Library Week celebrations, the top three stories were read publicly at the library and the awards were announced. Congratulations to the winners!

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

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

Grand Prize – One-on-one consultation with University of Illinois Creative Writing Director and published author Janice N. Harrington and a professionally taken headshot for your author’s portfolio. Opportunity to read your story, or have an actor read it for you, at our Awards Ceremony, and have your story published on our website for the community to read.

2nd + 3rd Place – Opportunity to read your story, or have an actor read it for you, at our Awards Ceremony, and have your story published on our website for the community to read. One-year subscription to Writer’s Digest Magazine.

Judges:
• Judy Elmore, manager, Jane Addams Book Shop
• Patricia Hruby Powell, award-winning author
• Aumaine Gruich, author and writing instructor

2019 Short Story Contest Writer’s Workshops + Award Ceremony

Series events meet from 7–8:30 pm

• Feb 5, Where to Begin – with Aumaine Gruich
• Feb 19, Developing Your Characters – with Molly MacRae 
• Mar 5, Creative Writing – with Jim O’Brien 
• Mar 19, Finishing Your Story – with Justin Smith
• Apr 11, Short Story Contest Awards Ceremony + Reading