We are very excited to congratulate the winners and finalists for our first ever Neil Shepard Prizes in Poetry and Fiction.  We received hundreds of entries, so many of which were incredibly strong.  We’re therefore especially proud of these writers whose work rose to top.

 

Neil Shepard Prize in Poetry
Judge:  Todd Boss

 

Jill Osier

Winner:  Jill Osier

2nd place:  Melissa Queen
3rd place:  Ben Aleshire

 

Neil Shepard Prize in Fiction
Judge:  Noy Holland

 

Suzanne McNear

Winner:  Suzanne McNear

, “Swimming Lessons”

2nd place:  Don Schwartz, “The Ravine”
3rd place:  Kyle Mellen, “Lighting in You a Tremendous Fire”

 

The winners will each receive a $500 prize and have their work published in our fall 2012 issue.

Thank you to all who entered — it was truly a joy to read so much fine work.