Congratulations to our Dark Verse Virtuosos!
Contest Name:
Descendants of Darkness
Date:
13/10/23
When the burdens of life become too heavy to bear, seek refuge in your craft. Let your heart spill onto the page, capturing both the joys and pains of life. Writing is not just about capturing happiness; it's about finding release, discovering catharsis, and allowing your soul to breathe. Through your words, you can create a sanctuary - a safe haven where you can heal, transform, and soar.
Remember, you are never alone on this journey. There is a community of writers, such as Wingless Dreamer, who understand your struggles, who have walked the same path, and who are rooting for you. Don't hesitate to reach out to us, share your experiences, and accept the support and encouragement you deserve.
Celebrate every small victory. Every sentence written is a step forward. Every manuscript rejection is a badge of courage, demonstrating your bravery in sharing your voice with the world. Every time you pick up your pen or type on your keyboard, you declare that your story matters.
So, to all my fellow writers facing challenges, hold tight to your dreams with unwavering determination. Use your setbacks to fuel your ambition and draw inspiration from your moments of darkness. You have the power to rise from the depths and turn your struggles into stories that resonate with those who may face similar challenges. Stay strong, and keep writing, creating, and believing in yourself.
With unwavering support and endless admiration, - Nadelina Agopoglu, Wingless Dreamer Editor
Congratulations to our Dark Verse Virtuosos!
The winner of the Descendants of Darkness Writing Contest is
LOLA STANSBURY- JONES - SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A FATHERLESS CHILD
Lola is a young, working-class writer originally from North Wales. Her work has been featured in the Atlanta Review, Headline Poetry, and Poets Reading the News. In 2021 she was named one of the best new British and Irish poets by the Black Spring Press Group. More of her work can be found at {lolastansburyjones.wordpress.com}.
The first runner-up goes to
CODY DRACO- POWER OUTAGE
Cody Draco is a Florida based writer who debuted in 2023 with three self-published collections of poetry (Observations, Healing is Not for the Faint of Heart, and Untimely). As a gay Christian and someone who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder his work often explores themes of mental health, love, loss, creativity, and spirituality.
The second runner-up goes to
BRANDON SHANE - HAPPY ENDINGS
Brandon Shane is a Japanese-American alum of California State University, Long Beach, where he majored in English. He's pursuing an MFA while working as a writing instructor and substitute teacher. You can see his work in the Berlin Literary Review, Acropolis Journal, Grim & Gilded, Livina Press, Bitterleaf Books, Remington Review, Salmon Creek, BarBar Literary Magazine, Discretionary Love, among many others. Find him on Twitter @ Ruishanewrites
And here are our top finalists:
BRYNN TESKE - ACT IV
Brynn Teske is a transgender poet and novelist based in Minnesota. He’s an English undergraduate who is passionate about mental health, spicy villain arcs, and stealing horses in Red Dead Redemption II. Brynn is a lifelong writer. He completed his first novelette in the third grade and was unable to stop.
M.S. BLUES - I NEVER LIKED MY TIA'S APARTMENT
M.S Blues is a multiracial, queer, versatile writer. Her work revolves around the darker pieces of humanity society tends to neglect. She has been published by the Trailblazer Review, Eber & Wein, Pa’lante!, Literal Impact, Teen Ink, Wingless Dreamer, Prismatica Magazine. The Insurgence Magazine, Pile Press, and the Amazine. She currently resides in the Bay Area, California. Her Instagram handle is {_.thewriterx._}.
OJINGIRI HANNAH - A PORTRAIT OF YOUR MIND
Ojingiri Hannah has her work published on Brittle paper, Kalahari Review, Reedsy, Medium, Story mirror, and {TravelDailyLife.com}. In her spare time she enjoys writing and reading inspirational books. She lives in Nigeria. She has written about 150 original quotes, and one was featured in “embracing our differences” and was displayed in Sarasota, Florida. You can connect with her on Facebook through the link below: {https://www.facebook.com/OjingiriHannah}
You can also reach her on Instagram through the link below: {https:///www.instagram.com/ojingiri_hannah}
DOUGLAS COLSTON - TO UNRAVEL THAT WHICH IS AS THIN AS THE WING OF
A CICADA: A SKELETAL PLOT
Douglas Colston hails from Australia, has played in Ska bands and picked up university degrees, supported his parents during terminal illnesses, developed chronic mental and physical illnesses pursuant to sustained workplace harassment, married his love, fathered two great children, had his inheritance embezzled and among other things, he is pursuing a PhD he hopes will provide a positive contribution to the zeitgeist. In addition to various Wingless Dreamer anthologies, his fiction, nonfiction and poetry has appeared in various anthologies and magazines, including: POETiCA REViEW; Impspired; New Note Poetry; Otherwise Engaged Literary and Arts Journal; and Revue {R}évolution. {http://theancientoracle.com/ https://www.facebook.com/douglas.colston/}
CHRISTINE OWENS - BLACK MOTH
Christine is an art curriculum developer and teacher. Both her children’s and adult poetry have been published in several anthologies. Her poem, Between Artist and Nature, won a 1st place award, published in I Have a Dream (A poetry collection by Wingless Dreamer), in 2022. Her poem, The Stage of Ecdysis, won a 1st place award, published in The Book of Black (A poetry collection by Wingless Dreamer), in 2021. She won 2nd and 3rd place awards with her children’s poetry in the 49th and 50th Annual Collin County poetry competitions, published in their respective anthologies. Additional poems have been included in several anthologies published by Wingless Dreamer, including The Misty Cauldron, Field of Black Roses, and A Tribute to Lord Byron. Follow her on Instagram @christine_made_this
