Introducing the Distinguished Winners of the Threads of Time Waiting Contest

LINA BUIVIDAVICIUTE - MNEMOSYNE

Lina Buividavičiūtė was born on May 14, 1986. She is a poet and a literary critic. Lina is the author of two poetry books in Lithuania. Her poetry is published in "Matter,” “Masters,” “Proverse Poetry Prize" contest anthologies, "Drunk Monkeys,” “Beyond Words,” “The Dewdrop,” “The Limit Experience,” “Poets Choice,” “HOW,” “Beyond Queer Words," "Maudlin House," "Cathexis Northwest Press," "Poetry Online" magazines, and the "Versopolis" poetry platform. Upcoming publications will appear in “New Millennium Writings,” “Cathexis Northwest Press,” “Quillkeepers Press,” “The Stardust Review," and “Beyond Words” magazines.

The spotlight shines on, our impressive first runner-up in the Threads of Time writing contest, whose creativity and commitment have left us in awe!

JAMES PIATT - MEMORIES OF LOVE’S SEPARATION

James, a retired professor and octogenarian, lives in Santa Ynez, California, USA, with his wife Sandy and a super-intelligent Aussie dog named Scout. He has had five collections of poetry published: The Silent Pond, Ancient Rhythms, Light, Solace Between the Lines, and Serenity, and over 1825 individual poems, 40 short stories, and five novels in scores of national and international literary publications. He earned his doctorate from BYU and his BS and MA from California State Polytechnic University, SLO. He was nominated twice for the Best of the Net award and four times for the Pushcart award.

Introducing, our spirited second runner-up in the Threads of Time writing contest, whose creativity and determination have dazzled us all!

CRYSTAL BARKER - GOLDEN THREAD

Crystal E. Barker grew up on a farm in the hills of Kentucky. She earned a bachelor’s in nursing from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, and went on to earn her master’s in nursing at California State University, Los Angeles. She serves veterans as a registered nurse at the VA Medical Center. Her poetry is award-winning and has been published in county, state, national, and international works. She has compiled a poetry anthology, has contributed to many poetry anthologies, and has published her works of poetry. She published her collection of poems entitled “Homelessness Through the Eyes of a Nurse in the City” in English, Farsi, Hindi, Spanish, and Tagalog with the publisher Poets’ Choice. Crystal writes from a compassionate, service-minded heart that is full of the spectrum of emotions influenced by her rural upbringing, love for nature, and nursing career. She wishes to have her poetry inspire others while illustrating our connectedness to human suffering, joys, hopes, and dreams, no matter our culture or geographical location in the world.

Standing tall as the finalists of the Threads of Time writing contest, these remarkable individuals have ignited our imaginations with their creativity and commitment.

KELLY HEGI - CRUELTY IN ROBES

Kelly Hegi is a writer and spiritual director living in Minneapolis with her husband, kids, and dogs. She writes to explore life healthily and creatively. Hiking, kayaking, cooking, and sketching are her hobbies.

AJ CHILSON - POEM TO MY TEACHER

A.J. Chilson is an award-winning author of over 35 books; some of the books are poetry collections, but most of them are children's works. He currently lives and works in Winnsboro, Texas, where he hopes to inspire others.


LATANYA MUELLER - MINNEAPOLIS

Latanya Mueller is an artist, musician, and writer living in Charleston, SC. She is blessed to have two rascally little boys and to have sped her mornings walking in the city that she loves. She is in the final editing process of her second collection, Wreckage, which should be released sometime in 2024. Her first collection, The Hands, The Head, and The Heart, is available on Amazon and Kindle. Her current work can be found on social media at @dreamer.in.bloom.

SUSAN LITTLE -THE HOUSE

G. Milton is a part-time writer and a full-time grandparent.

STEPHANIE KNIGHT - YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW

Stephanie is an author, educator and advocate. She writes true stories about hard things.

JORDAN NISHKIAN - TO THE GRAVE

Jordan Nishkian is an award-winning writer and poet in California. She’s the Editor-in-Chief of Mythos magazine and the author of Kindred, a novella.


JAIMEE ALONSO-LUNDHEIM - MOTHER KNOWS BEST

Jaimee Alonso-Lundheim is a Filipino-Spanish-American teacher and writer. She is currently a kindergarten teacher in the Seattle area and moonlights as a writer in the evenings. Jaimee looks forward to calling herself a published writer in a few months when Wingless Dreamer Publisher publishes one of her short stories and poems! You can find Jaimee on Instagram at jaimee. Alonso, where she shares her love for life, her dogs, and nerdy things. She plans on eventually reconfiguring her social media to reflect her rekindled love for writing!