The Manzanita Writers’ Series announces the winner of their first Poetry Contest
A poet who splits her time between Juneau, Alaska and Cape Meares, Oregon won the poetry contest held by the Manzanita Writers’ Series and the Hoffman Center for the Arts. Helena Fagan will receive a $100 cash prize for her poem “Embrace,” and it will be published, along with a short interview, in the next issue of the North Coast Squid literary journal due out in November 2019.
“I kept returning to the lush opening imagery of this poem, its powerful connection to nature,” said Lana Ayers, the judge in this inaugural contest. “This poet delivers a sense of gratitude that makes the reader rush to count her blessings as well,” she added. Lana is a poet herself and the publisher of the Concrete Wolf chapbook series and MoonPath Press.
In addition to the winning poet, Lana recognized three poems as honorable mentions—”a tremendously difficult task with all the talented writers who submitted work to this contest.” The contest was capped at 50 poets, each submitting up to three poems.
- “Art of Careful Pruning” by Connie Soper, part-time Manzanita resident
- “Brush Rabbit Summer” by Emily Ransdell, part-time Manzanita resident
- “Transformation” by Cate Gable, Nahcotta, WA
Submissions for the seventh issue of the North Coast Squid, a journal of writing and art highlighting work from people with connections to the north Oregon coast, will be accepted June 1 through 30, 2019. A release event with selected readings and an art show will be held on November 2nd.
The contest and the literary journal are part of the Manzanita Writers’ Series.
