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.
First place winners receive $250 and will have their winning entries published in the WNBA’s Bookwoman Newsletter, on the WNBA’s website, and in an anthology.
Meet the 2020 WNBA Writing Contest Winners
First Place Winners
Fiction
Lisa Leyenda for “The Scent of Water”
Creative Nonfiction
Jess Smith for “In Gettysburg”
Flash Prose
Tess Kelly for “Woman in the Covid Bubble”
Poetry
Second Place Winners
Fiction
Lauren Parvizi for “Resurfacing”
Creative Nonfiction
Carol Fischbach for “Butterflies, Berries, and Beef”
Flash Prose
Amy Wright for “Leaves”
Poetry
Rhett Watts for “Reclaimed”
Third Place Winners
Fiction
Bonnie Olsen for “A Calm and Rational Story about Murder, Excellent Caretaking and One Smart Chicken”
Creative Nonfiction
Naomi Weiss for “Earplugs”
Flash Prose
Kate MacGuire for “Distraction Display”
Poetry
Iris Dunkle for “Sinkhole”
2020 WNBA Writing Contest Judges
Creative Nonfiction: Mireya S. Vela
Fiction: Francesca Lia Block
Flash Prose: Kara Vernor
Poetry: Shonda Buchanan
2020 WNBA Writing Contest Reading Committee
Read the reading committee members’ bios!
Contest Chair/Lead Editor: Andrea Auten
Editors and Assistant Editors
Fiction Lead Editor: Kori Wood
Fiction Assistant Editors:
Jahzerah Brooks
Adrien Kade Sdao
Gabriella Souza
Stephanie Teasley
Creative NonFiction Lead Editor: Diane Gottlieb
Creative Nonfiction Assistant Editors:
Shaneka Jones Cook
Alexis McCadney
Kate Carmody
Sarita Sidhu
Flash Fiction Lead Editor: Loumarie Ivette Rodriguez
Flash Fiction Assistant Editors:
E.P. Floyd
Ronni Sandroff
Poetry Lead Editor: Amanda Lopez
Poetry Assistant Editors:
Barbara Fant
Erica Charis-Molling
Cecilia Martinez-Gil
Cristina Medina
Learn more about the WNBA Writing Contest