Contests: Raymond Carver | Esoteric Awards
Archives: 2011 Raymond Carver Short Story Contest
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This year we had 541 entries, 28 semifinalists (longlist), and 9 finalists (shortlist). The show of talent this year was incredible - so much so that we’ve decided to publish all nine finalists: the five prizewinners and four honorable mentions. Congratulations to them all.
All 9 stories are available to read in the Fall 2011 issue.
Winners:
1st place - $1000
“Stalled Symphony” by Liesl Wilke in Mercer Island, WA
2nd place - $750
“Credo” by Bridget Brewer in Portland, OR
3rd place - $500
“Promises, Promises” by Susan Finch in Grand Junction, CO
Two Editor’s Choice - $250 each
“Motherlove” by Mark Farrington in Alexandria, VA (Matthew)
“Whiskey & Ribbons” by Leesa Cross-Smith in Louisville, KY (Kristin)
Four Honorable Mentions - $100 each
”Oregon Grind” by Rick Attig in Portland, OR
“What Happy Couples Do” by Anna Cox in Guelph, Ontario
”The English Speakers” by Sarah Quigley in Christchurch, New Zealand
“The Mattress Boy of Cameroon” by Kate Jackson in North Hills, CA
THE LONGLIST - These stories were considered semifinalists, read and reviewed by the editors. Appearing on this list means the story made it through at least 2 rounds of readings and was a strong contender to be a finalist.
A Bird and a Picture Window, Laura Loomis
A Very Brief History of a Very Long War, Chester Aaron
Of Chicken and Love, Eugenia Tsutsumi
Black Day, Myra Sherman
Seeing Shadows, MM DeVoe
Tree Fort and Cords, Teresa Burns Gunther
The Respect of Stone, Kate Robinson
Eta Translator, Paul Vidich
Dream Scene, Renee Nicholson
The Road to Cherry Point, Kami Westhoff
Beatrice and the Box, Danielle Davis
Together Forever, Susan Lanigan
The Wisdom of Eggs, Crona Gallagher
Mrs. Barnett’s Bottom, J Eric Miller
Ben’s Walls, Sonja Vitow
The Rescue, Wendy Palmer
Thanks Sweetheart, Charles Sebian-Lander
In Sunday Light, J.O. Gish
Breakfast at the Zoo, Sarah Quigley
The top five winning stories/authors will be considered for representation with the following literary agencies: Irene Goodman Literary Agency, Steinberg Agency, Friedrich Agency.
Agents will receive the stories before publication and, if interested, will get in touch with authors to represent them. All three agencies have shown interest in representing past contributors to Carve, which is why they were selected and invited to offer their services as part of the prize package.
2011 Guest Judge: Julie Hersh
Julie Hersh, author of Struck by LivingJulie Hersh is the author of Struck by Living, already in its second printing after publication in April 2010. She has been awarded the Mental Health American Ruth Altschuler Community Advocate Prism Award and selected as one of the 2010 Distinguished Women by Northwood University, and she is an outspoken advocate for mental health. Learn more about her and her accomplishments at her website.