Chris Crabtree took the top poetry prize this year with his entry “Learning Chess.” Crabtree is a senior at Missouri State, majoring in creative writing. His poem will appear in the Moon City Review 2014 and he will receive the $200 prize.
Other finalists in the poetry category include:
- Elizabeth Alphonse
- Terry Belew
- Anthony Isaac Bradley
- Allyson Dale
- Jacob Monash
- Taylor Supplee
In the fiction category, Samuel Nichols’ story, “Hermanos de Sangre,” won the top prize. Nichols is a junior creative writing major. His work will appear in MCR 2014 and he will receive a $200 honorarium.
The other finalists in fiction are:
- Elizabeth Alphonse
- Kelly Baker
- Christopher Ray Dean
- Kevin Gleich
- Ryan Hubble
- Anita Lumley
- Emily McCormick
- Bailey Moore
- Andrew Myers
Judging this year’s competition were two honored writers: Kerry James Evan and Daniel Woodrell.
Evans, who read from his debut poetry collection earlier this month, received his undergraduate degree from MSU, an MFA in creative writing from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and his PhD in English from Florida State University. Evans judged the poetry entries.
Woodrell, author of “Winter’s Bone” and “The Maid’s Version,” visited campus during Homecoming festivities. Woodrell reviewed the entries in the fiction category.
Both judges noted they were impressed with the level of talent they encountered in the process, both speaking well of the state of MSU’s creative writing program.
Congratulations to these winners and finalists! Gratitude goes out to all of you as well, whether you entered the contest or not, as the students here make up a tremendous creative force, make what we do important.