Congratulations to Tess Kelly for winning first place in flash prose for the 2020 WNBA Writing Contest! You can read the winning entry, “Woman in the Covid Bubble,” below. Woman in the Covid Bubble Meals You eat leftovers, lots of leftovers, in microwaved containers. On second thought, don’t bother with the microwave, straight out of […]
2020 WNBA Writing Contest Fiction Winner: “The Scent of Water” by Lisa Leyenda
Congratulations to Lisa Leyenda for winning first place in fiction for the 2020 WNBA Writing Contest! You can read Lisa’s winning entry, “The Scent of Water,” below. The Scent of Water The first I heard of the oasis was when Tía Rosa came back from the panadería with the Pan de Muertos. She’d heard it […]
Congratulations to the 2020 Writing Contest Winners!
The Women’s National Book Association congratulates the winners of the 2020 WNBA Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of writers submit their very best writing. This year’s categories were fiction, creative nonfiction, flash prose, and poetry. The contest is open to both WNBA members and non-members. WNBA members get a 25% discount off of the entry fee. […]
2020 WNBA Writing Contest Finalists Announced
Ra Avis Dorothy Odonnell Carol Fischbach Jessica Smith Naomi Weiss Tiffany Promise Teresa Janssen Anndee Hochman Isabel Walsh Lauren Parvizi Celine Aenelle-Roacha Bonnie Olsen Louise Harland Lisa Leyenda Lucy Dixon Sunshine Barbito Tess Kelly Samantha Thomas Claire Fullerton Gretchen Ayoub Amy Wright Kate MacGuire Mary McLaughlin María Ochoa Sheila Riley Judy Goldman Andrea Young Tiffany […]
Shonda Buchanan Joins as a Writing Contest Judge
A Bit about Shonda Buchanan Shonda Buchanan is a calm force in the writing world. Raised as a Black woman “who grew up hearing cherished stories of her multi-racial heritage, while simultaneously suffering from everything she (and the rest of her family) didn’t know,” her work culls forth dynamic voices. The author of five books, […]
Kara Vernor Announced as Contest Flash Prose Judge
Introducing Kara Vernor Kara Vernor writes flash. Her wit and keen observation find a voice in dynamic, edgy stories. How she describes the process of flash writing illuminates volumes in small spaces. She’s had a long relationship with this genre and gives homage to a high school instructor. Balanced sentences layered with stated and inferred […]
Francesca Lia Block to Serve as Contest Fiction Judge
Introducing Francesca Lia Block We are thrilled to announce this year’s fiction judge, Francesca Lia Block. Francesca writes fiction, nonfiction, short stories, and poetry. A prolific storyteller, Francesca has authored over 25 books and has had stories, poems, essays, and interviews published in the Los Angeles Times, the L.A. Review of Books, Spin, Nylon, Black Clock, The Fairy Tale Review, and Rattle, among others. She has also adapted her […]
Meet Our Creative Nonfiction Judge Mireya S. Vela
Mireya S. Vela will serve as the 2020 WNBA Writing Contest’s creative nonfiction judge. Introducing Mireya S. Vela Mireya S. Vela is a Mexican American creative nonfiction writer, storyteller, and artist in Los Angeles. Both serious and gregarious, she tells great tales, using stark, pointed language, mythic themes, and deep examination. Much like her artwork, Mireya layers meaning between the […]
The Power Behind the WNBA: Nicole Eiden, New Orleans
The member diversity in the WNBA makes our goal of connecting, educating, advocating, and leading possible. As bookwomen, we believe “Books Have Power.” The Bookwoman welcomes Nicole Eiden (WNBA-New Orleans) to the “Power behind the WNBA” interview series! Tell us about yourself. I am a poet and filmmaker interested in exploring the challenges and beauty […]