2014 Writing Contest Winners!

Our judges say that choosing was no small feat!

But for now...

This is it, folks. 

The moment you've been waiting for. 

Out of nearly 300 entries total, we are very proud to announce. . .

The Rate Your Story 2014 Writing Contest WINNERS!

Picture Book Category - Prize Winners

Credit: Roxyanne Young

1st Place

How We Made the Sky. . .Cry 

by Anne C. Bromley
and Jane L. Patton

A lyrical, free verse picture book about six-year-old Callie’s unique solution to the severe drought that has befallen her town.

2nd Place

Ribbit! Ribbit! Gotta Go! 

by Jill Proctor

When Froggy escapes from his cardboard dungeon he leads his captor, giggling school children, and a broom-wielding teacher on a flagpole-flying, death-defying chase, ultimately winning his freedom to return home to his children.

3rd Place

Little Orphan Sandy: The True Story of a Stray That Became a Star 

by Nancy Churnin
The true story of a teen who rescues a dirty, neglected and frightened dog and turns him into a Broadway star.

Picture Book Category - Honorable Mentions

A Tad Too Short 

by Heather Preusser

When Tad tries to follow his older brothers aboard the Buccaneer at Pirate Playland, the burly pirate at the other end of the plank says he’s too short, so Tad finds some friends and develops a plan to pull one past the pirate.

Funny-Face Grace 

by Krisann Bergo Brown

When Grace makes a silly face that gets stuck, she sets off a hilarious epidemic that changes the face of the world.

No Dragons Allowed 

by Kevin White

Harold the dragon's simple quest for an egg from the castle (needed to bake a cake) turns into a tale of disguises, favors, and acceptance as they all discover unity in their diversity.

Run! Run! Run! The Amazing Story of Elizabeth Zane 

by Sue Frye
In 1782, Elizabeth Zane easily outran every boy at Fort Henry, and when the fort came under siege, she made her famous run through flying arrows to grab the hidden stash of gunpowder – which saved the fort.   

Pumpkins and Promises: America’s First Halloween

by Nancy Churnin

Historical fiction about an Irish immigrant girl in 1851 who teaches her American friend about her favorite Irish holiday, Halloween, and how together they give the celebration an American twist by carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns instead of the traditional turnips.

Novel/Novella Category - Prize Winners

1st Place

30-Minute Superhero

by Sandy Grubb

Ten-year-old Nick would rather impress his friends than their mothers, but when shaking his Mr. Nice Guy image proves impossible, he takes it undercover like his old hero Superman, only to be faced with a mystery that must be solved … and time is running out.

2nd Place

Perfecting Albert Hall

by Irene Wittig

Perfecting Albert Hall is the story of a lonely, middle-aged man whose need for purpose takes him to Uganda to search for his friend’s missing child.

3rd Place

The Case of the Missing Hand

by Marcia Berneger

If Robbie and Becca don't solve the case of the missing hand, and the ensuing attempted murder, their grandparents could spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Novel/Novella Category - Honorable Mentions

Hoofin’ it to Hollywood

by Kenda Henthorn

Twelve year old Katie Kitchen dreams of Hollywood stardom, but instead, she’s stuck competing against her two older brothers for a role in her parent’s small-time, small-town western movie where it seems summer can’t get any worse—until Josh Sullivan steals her heart—and her part in the movie.

Mom Wars

by Mindy Alyse Weiss

Twelve year-old Jennifer Michaels is already at war with Mom over money issues and Dad’s disappearance when two unpredictable boys, a mysterious check, and a summer filled with secrets turn her world upside-down.

Before I Sleep

by Patti Richards

Only the Wordkeeper knows why forest darkness causes death, and Ada must find him before time runs out for her mother and her world.

Everything Else Category - Top Winners

1st Place

“Ernie Buford, Ripsnortin’ Whopper Teller” (short story)

by Sherry Walz

Ernie Buford hails from a long line of whopper tellers, but he doesn’t believe in his own ability to tell incredible tales – that is – until the day he tangles with a rough and tumble tornado.

2nd Place

“Stubborn Sam”
(poem)

by Carol Woodson

A very active youngster gets more than she bargained for.

3rd Place

“I Can Do That Job in Six Sh*ts and Ten Son of a Bi*ches”
(short story)

by Mary Jo Wagner

The story of what happens when one rather non-mechanical man decides to fix a garage door opener, and prompts his children to count the swear words until the typical disaster is over.

Everything Else Category - Honorable Mentions

“Princess Polymita and Zunzun, the Hummingbird Prince: A Cuban Love Story Retold”
(folk tale)

by Betty Matthews

When Polymita, the world’s largest and most colorful land snail, despairs about her beauty and self-worth, Zunzuncito, the world’s smallest hummingbird  must tell the story behind their unusual friendship.

Ethan to the Rescue
(chapter book)

by Sheri McCrimmon

Ethan finds out superheroes have a hard life when practice rescues turn into embarrassing disasters and epic problems loom.

“Helpers of 9/11”
(nonfiction essay)

by Jacquie Sewell

In the midst of the tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attack, the strength of our nation shone bright in the actions of the many Americans who answered the call to come and help.

The Magic Nose Pinchers
(chapter book)

by Danielle Dufayet

Isabelle, the French mouse, loves beauty and cleanliness, so her husband invents a pair of magic glasses that she wears everyday until one day they fall off her nose and she gets a shocking and heartbreaking surprise.

Congratulations, all!

Also, we'd like to extend a very special thank you
to the prize donors, including:

Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary

Madeline Smoot, CBAY Books

Ella Kennen, Corvisiero Literary Agency

Miranda Paul, Children's Author

Kristen Fulton, Archaeology of Nonfiction Instructor

Our many, many judges!