Some 2023 OCW Cascade Writing Contest Finalists

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE 2023 WINNERS LISTED BELOW!

CONTEMPORARY FICTION BOOK

Previously Published Writers

The Bairn and the Bone Whisperers
Mollie Joy Rushmeyer

Unpublished Writers

The Chain
Stephanie Bolme

HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK

Previously Published Writers

That Lonesome Whippoorwill
Sarah Loudin Thomas

Unpublished Writers

A Long Way Home
Megan Soja

SPECULATIVE FICTION/YOUNG ADULT BOOK

Previously Published Writers

Daughter of the Decoy King
Kristen Joy Wilks

SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOK

Unpublished Writers

Inverse
Andra J. Loy

YOUNG ADULT BOOK

Unpublished Writers

Echo of Secrets
Andra J. Loy

NONFICTION BOOK

Previously Published Writers

Oasis Bible Study—Book 3: Pursuing Growth and Resilience
Diane Schnickels

Unpublished Writers

Pot-Stirring and Peacemaking Women of the Bible
Annette Marie Griffin

MEMOIR BOOK

Previously Published Writers

Journeys from an African Town
Samuel Hall

Unpublished Writers

The Bible Smuggler
Dale R. Gibson

MIDDLE GRADE BOOK

Previously Published Writers

Phooey Kerflooey
Kristen Joy Wilks

Unpublished Writers

The Trinity Knot
Debbie Austin

CHILDREN’S CHAPTER BOOK

Unpublished Writers

Snuckit McDuck and the Case of the Socknapper
Harley Roe Suprint

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK

Previously Published Writers

The Gift Inside of Me
Becky Alexander

Unpublished Writers

Grandma Piggy, I Have a Question
Sherry V. Chidwick

POETRY

Previously Published Writers

“Covered”
Julie E. Kepler

Unpublished Writers

“The Redeemer’s Embrace”
Annette Marie Griffin

DEVOTIONAL

Previously Published Writers

“The Owner’s Manual”
Denise E. Arzoian

Unpublished Writers

“Coupons”
Grace A. Kyser

ARTICLE, COLUMN, NONFICTION SHORT STORY

Previously Published Writers

“Jesus People Forever”
Debbie Dueck

Unpublished Writers

“It Was Supposed to Last a Lifetime: Release and
Recovery from Adult Child Estrangement”
Lisa Baldwin

FICTION SHORT STORY (INCLUDING FLASH FICTION)

Previously Published Writers

“Silver Bay Getaway”
Jennifer Anne F. Messing

Unpublished Writers

“Far from Home”
Fiona Ruth Spence

2023 OCW Cascade Writing Contest Finalists

CONTEMPORARY FICTION BOOK

Previously Published Writers

The Bairns and the Bone Whisperers
Mollie Joy Rushmeyer

The Moment of Surrender
Rachel D. Russell

One Starlight Christmas
Jennifer Uhlarik

Unpublished Writers

The Chain
Stephanie Bolme

Finding Ginny
Jen Dodrill

Already in the Kudzu
Hannah Hood Lucero

HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK

Previously Published Writers

Longing to Be Seen—Leah’s Story
Jacquie Hoekstra

The Light of Stars
Jenelle M. Hovde

That Lonesome Whippoorwill
Sarah Loudin Thomas

Unpublished Writers

Blossoms in the Wind
Sonja M. Anderson

Atomic Secrets
Janet W. Asbridge

A Long Way Home
Megan Soja

 

SPECULATIVE FICTION/YOUNG ADULT*

Previously Published Writers

Daughter of the Decoy King
Kristen Joy Wilks

Mojave Rock
John Gilbert Wozniak

 

SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOK**

Unpublished Writers

Inverse
Andra J. Loy

The White Raven
Julia N. White

YOUNG ADULT, FICTION AND NONFICTION

Unpublished Writers

Under Pink Snow
Suzanne Young Cordatos

Echo of Secrets
Andra J. Loy

Cathey’s Creek Road
Hannah Hood Lucero

 

NONFICTION BOOK

Previously Published Writers

Unstoppable: Identify Your Calling and Make Your God-Given Dreams a Reality
David Brühlmann

Victory by Day, Peace by Night
Cheryl Delamarter

Oasis Bible Study—Book 3: Pursuing Growth and Resilience
Diane Schnickels

Unpublished Writers

The Gift of Living Water
Rhonda K. Bell

Pot-Stirring and Peacemaking Women of the Bible
Annette Marie Griffin

Power Ten, in Two: The Lord Is My Coxswain, I Shall Not Weigh Enough
Kimberly Solis

 

MEMOIR BOOK

Previously Published Writers

Journeys from an African Town
Samuel Hall

They Walk My Bridge
Sharon Chase Hoseley

Even There
Joy Ellen Ng

Unpublished Writers

I Thought They Would Bring Me Apples
Sherry V. Chidwick

The Bible Smuggler
Dale R. Gibson

Ghetto Boy
Pamela Rosales

 

MIDDLE GRADE BOOK, FICTION AND NONFICTION

Previously Published Writers

Mystery Fair
Linda Borromeo

The Case of the Mysterious Pranks
Mark Wainwright

Phooey Kerflooey
Kristen Joy Wilks

Unpublished Writers

The Trinity Knot
Debbie Austin

The Legend of the Chocolate Lily
Janie L. Berry

Rebecca and Abbie: Sisters of the Light
Annette Marie Griffin

 

CHILDREN’S CHAPTER BOOK, FICTION AND NONFICTION***

Unpublished Writers

Adventures with Charlie
Joy Ellen Ng

Snuckit McDuck and the Case of the Socknapper
Harley Roe Suprint

The Amazing Adventures of Octo the Curious Cat
Blanche N. Yates

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK, FICTION AND NONFICTION

Previously Published Writers

The Gift Inside of Me
Becky Alexander

The Lions’ Den
Nicole Monroe

Who Gives the Moon Its Glow?
Cheryl Secomb

Unpublished Writers

Grandma Piggy, I Have a Question
Sherry V. Chidwick

Bella’s Red Ball
Helen Heavirland

Kitten Adventures—To Play or Obey
Kendy L. Pearson

 

POETRY

Previously Published Writers

“Maker’s Mark”
L. Suzanne Felton

“Covered”
Julie E. Kepler

“Grief Like Rain”
Patricia Tiffany Morris

Unpublished Writers

“Fisherman’s Rest”
Sharon E. Fischer

“The Redeemer’s Embrace”
Annette Marie Griffin

“I Am”
Jill R. Stanton

 

DEVOTIONAL

Previously Published Writers

“The Owner’s Manual”
Denise E. Arzoian

“Faith, Hope, and Charity”
Yvonne E. Kays

“A Sacred Cloakroom”
Shirley Quiring Mozena

Unpublished Writers

“Chickens and God’s Purpose”
Sandra Beck

“John 3:16”
Ann Boyce

“Coupons”
Grace A. Kyser

 

ARTICLE, COLUMN, NONFICTION SHORT STORY

Previously Published Writers

“Jesus People Forever”
Debbie Dueck

“When Grandma Washed My Hands”
Kathleen R. Ruckman

“Strangers in the Church”
Virginia Wilcox

Unpublished Writers

“It Was Supposed to Last a Lifetime: Release and Recovery from Adult Child Estrangement”
Lisa Baldwin

“Colossal Cross”
Sandra Beck

“I’ll Be Around”
Amy P. Schones

 

FICTION SHORT STORY (INCLUDING FLASH FICTION)

Previously Published Writers

“Silver Bay Getaway”
Jennifer Anne F. Messing

“Pumpkin Pie Delight”
Jennifer Anne F. Messing

“Lost at Glacier”
Jennifer Noel Wilson

Unpublished Writers

“Far from Home”
Fiona Ruth Spence

“Casa Mia in Asbury Park”
Richard Taylor

“First There Was Joy”
Richard Taylor

* The speculative fiction and young adult genres for previously published authors was combined because there were insufficient entries in at least one of those categories to judge it alone. There are only two finalists because no other entry scored an 80 or above on average.

** There are only two finalists in the unpublished writer category of the speculative fiction genre because no other entry scored an 80 or above on average.

*** There are no finalists in the previously published writer category for children’s chapter books because there were no entries in this category.

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