Richmond Children's Writers: March 2014

Monday, March 17, 2014

And The Winner Is.......!

By Hazel Buys

On March 5^th, a year of planning, promoting, writing and reading came to a celebrated conclusion. Richmond Children’s Writers wrapped up their first-ever writing competition for 3^rd through 8^th graders in Chesterfield County with an awards ceremony.

Brian Rock emceed the event with wit and enthusiasm. He introduced the finalists for each grade level and also introduced our fearless leader, Lana Krumwiede, who gave opening remarks.

After finalists for each grade level were recognized, Brian announced the winner for each grade. The following students received awards for Best Entry for their grade levels:

3rd - Bruce Yanovitch – Winterpock Elementary

      4th - Matthew Klausner – Greenfield Elementary
      5th - Katelyn Domke – Greenfield Elementary
      6th - Talyah Rawls – Midlothian Middle School
      7th - Rachel Bybee – Robious Middle School
      8th - Megan Lee – Mantoaca Middle School

Bird Cox, Co-Director of Richmond Young Writers, presented RYW’s generous donation, a grand prize scholarship to one of the Richmond Young Writers week-long summer camps.

An imaginary drum roll announced the grand prize winner, Rachel Bybee, for her story, JUST OVER THE MOUNTAIN.

After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed cupcakes and punch and talked about the incredible level of talent and creativity in the submissions.

Well done, everyone!!!

Steven K. Smith

Steven K. Smith is the author of The Virginia Mysteries series, middle grade adventures with a twist of history. His books
include Summer of the Woods, Mystery on Church Hill, Ghosts of Belle Isle, and the standalone short story, Pitch Black Dark. Steven grew up in rural northwestern New Jersey, but has quickly come to love Richmond and its deep history since moving here in 2011. He lives with his wife and three young
sons and works in e-healthcare during his non-writing hours. You can learn more about Steven and his books at his website, VirginiaMysteries.com.

Brian Rock

Brian has been writing stories and poems since he was old enough to hold a #2 pencil. Although he was once kicked out of his fourth grade class for writing too many stories, he went on to earn a master’s degree in Children’s Writing from Hollins University. His short stories appeared regularly in the regional magazine, Kid’s World. His poems have appeared in Highlights and Poetry Train. He has three published picture books, Don't Play With Your Food!, Piggies, With All My Heart, with his third title, The Deductive Detective due out this month, March 2013. Click over to Brian's website to find out more.

Hazel Buys

Hazel grew up living the gypsy life, circling the globe as her family accompanied her father on his military assignments to Asia, Europe and the United States. During this time she absorbed the stories and fables from many different cultures. Her love of literature is rooted deeply in these early travels.

Hazel began writing in her early teens. She writes middle grade and young adult novels as well as picture books, which she also illustrates. Hazel regularly publishes reviews of children’s books with Children’s Literature. Her picture book, Olaf's Door, was published by the multi-media publisher, zuuka, Inc. You can see Hazel's art work at her website.

Dan Elasky

Dan has been writing since he was seven. Back then, it was mostly adventure stories with dinosaurs. Some of it still is, but without the dinosaurs. Mainly, he specializes in picture books and teen novels. Dan is fortunate to have as his critique partners the members of Richmond Children’s Writers, a perceptive, illuminating, and supportive group. He looks forward to reading to children at schools, libraries, and hospitals with the help of his puppet, Irene. Dan is now writing a middle grade novel whose narrator speaks in a voice that, he says, “is unlike any other in English literature.”

Lana Krumwiede

In third grade, Lana wrote in her autobiography that she wanted to be a mother, a writer, and the church organist. While the church organist thing didn't turn out so well, the other two dreams made up for it! Her dystopian science fiction series for middle-grade readers, The Psi Chronicles (Candlewick Press) includes FREAKLING and ARCHON (coming Oct 2013). Lana's short stories and poems have appeared in Highlights, High Five, Spider, Babybug, The Friend, and Chicken Soup for the Child's Soul. Learn more about Lana and her books at her website.

Monday, March 17, 2014

And The Winner Is.......!

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