The 3rd annual Wind & Water Writing Contest returned in 2021. We’ve covered themes of Exploring and Memory, and this year’s theme was the concept of Unity, in light of the challenging times we are currently facing. We asked entrants from the Quinte and Prince Edward County regions to interpret the theme in unique, exciting and creative ways for a host of prizes, recognition and celebration! In the past, we have had winners who are both seasoned and emerging writers.
We are pleased to announce the 2021 winners! Yet again, it wasn’t an easy choice, but our judges were unanimous in their choice of winners.
Poetry:
Winner: Sanctuary by Shauna Haugen
Judges’ comments on Sanctuary: “Beautifully written with powerful imagery, Sanctuary really spoke to our theme of unity, and offered the reader such a beautiful escape to the author’s world.”
Honourable Mention: Atmospheric Waltz by Nora-Lyn Veevers
Fiction and Non-fiction:
Winner: Fox and Mouse by Andrea Koehler
Judges’ comments on Fox and Mouse: “A beautiful story stunningly written with a unique spin on the theme, we loved this story for its powerful use of language.”
Honourable Mention: sleep, an account in ten parts by Halliday Reynolds
Congratulations to Shauna and Andrea for their winning entries, and thank you to all the writers who submitted for our 3rd annual contest!
Kelly S. Thompson is a retired military officer who holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and is a PhD candidate in Literary and Critical Studies at the University of Gloucestershire. Kelly won the House of Anansi Press Golden Anniversary Award for fiction, the 2014 and 2017 Barbara Novak Award for Personal Essay, and was shortlisted for Room magazine’s 2013 and 2014 creative nonfiction awards, placing 2nd in the 2019 competition. Her essays have appeared in several anthologies and in publications such as Chatelaine, Maclean’s, Maisonneuve, and more. Her memoir, Girls Need Not Apply, released summer 2019, was an instant Globe and Mail bestseller and rated one of the top 100 books of the year. Her next memoir, Still, I Cannot Save You, will be released with McClelland & Stewart in May, 2022.
Dorian Widling is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. He has written several short stories and is currently working on a historical novel set in 18th century France. Dorian is also an award-winning photographer, having taken several prizes at the Department of National Defence Photo Competition, as well as having won a commendation from the judges at the Sony World Photography Awards. Dorian’s images have been shown in places as far as Grosvenor Gallery in London, UK, and his work is held in private collections across North and South America.
