Writing Contest: Winner Announced

Siel Ju

I'm delighted to congratulate Siel Ju on winning this year's writing contest. Siel holds a Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks: Feelings Are Chemicals in Transit from Dancing Girl Press and Might Club from Horse Less Press. Her poems and stories appear in Denver Quarterly, Drunken Boat, The Missouri Review, ZYZZYVA, Hobart, LIT, and other places.

Siel's decade-spanning novel tells the story of two sisters. Her writing caught my attention with its directness and deceiving simplicity, and so did her ability to evoke a strong emotional reaction in the reader. I am looking forward to reading and critiquing the novel (at no cost to her) in February.

Among almost 50 entries to this inaugural contest, the group of finalists was extremely competitive. I was so impressed by the level of professionalism and number of accomplished writers who participated. Every single submission had something going for it--congratulations to all who participated, and please consider entering next year.