Unleash the victor: Whispers of the World Writing Contest
Contest Name:
Whispers of the World
Date:
23/10/23
Being selected as a judge for the Wingless Dreamer Publisher anthology was a thrilling voyage into the captivating world of words.
The words possessed a transcendent power, reaching deep into the recesses of my heart. Every piece of writing was a testament to the boundless wellspring of creativity that resides within each author. They crafted stories and poems that transcended the mundane, sweeping me away from the ordinary to embark on unique journeys of their own.
I wish that when these gifted authors see their work within the pages of this anthology, they feel the exultation and recognition they so rightfully deserve.
Being tasked with selecting a winner proved to be a herculean feat. Each entry was a compelling and impactful masterpiece, making the task nothing short of daunting.
The winner, though chosen with difficulty, represents the collective brilliance of all the entrants. To every writer whose words I had the privilege of reading, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your literary journeys are bound to be long and inspiring, touching the hearts and minds of countless readers.
My deepest aspiration is for this anthology to find its way into the hands of every avid reader, to be savoured and cherished like a fine vintage.
Warm regards, Shreya Mishra
Unleash the victor: Whispers of the World Writing Contest
Beat the drums. The grand winner of the Whispers of the World is:
SUSAN MERLETTE - CHANGE
Susan Merlette is a person with a great love of life. She dreams of inspiring others.
Blow the trumpet. The position for the first runner-up goes to:
GWYNNETH GREEN - GATED GARDEN
Gwynneth Green is an artist who uses the camera and the written word. A published poet with fifteen poetic publications has been featured in exhibitions in the mid-Atlantic region as well as virtual ones. She has participated in ekphrastic collaborations with visual artists.
A big round of applause for our top finalists:
B.R. JAYNE - HE WHO HAS GOLDEN HAIR
B. R. Jayne is a transgender trauma-carrier poet and creator. In life and on paper, Jayne explores the complexity of human relationships, ties to God and religion, and the ever- present figure of death in a society so devoted to life. Jayne lives in Minneapolis and has a cat named Biscuit.
KATELYN M BOYLE - HOW TO SLIP AND FALL IN LOVE
Born and raised in New York, Katelyn Margaret Boyle studied literature and creative writing at Molloy University and published short essays and poetry in college literary magazines, winning “Excellence in Poetry” at Adelphi University’s Poetry Festival in 2008. She currently lives in Tokyo, Japan.
MAGGIE BOWYER- MY FINGERS ACHE FROM HOLDING ON
Maggie Bowyer (they/he) is a poet, cat parent, and the author of various poetry collections, including Homecoming (2023) and When I Bleed (2021). They are co-hosts of the podcast Baked and Bookish. They have been featured in The Abbey Review, Chapter House Journal, The Elevation Review, The South Dakota Review, Wishbone Words, and more. They were the Editor-in-Chief of The Lariat Newspaper, a quarter-finalist in Brave New Voices 2016, and a Marilyn Miller Poet Laureate. You can find their work on Instagram and TikTok at @maggiewrites.
BRYNN TESKE - THE PALE SNAKE IS FINALLY HARMLESS
Brynn Teske is a transgender poet and novelist based in Minnesota. He earned a BA in English Creative Writing and 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.
TARYN DEPPE - IN OUR SOFTEST FORM
Taryn hails from San Antonio, Texas, where she academically and independently studies the work of fellow Texas poets, Laurie Ann Guerrero and M.R. “Chibbi” Orduña. Her work centres around the varying experiences associated with her queer identity as well as her place in the greater queer and LGBTQ+ community as a whole. Through poetry, she aims to educate the masses on the tribulations of the queer community, offer opportunities for connection within the community, and empower others to speak all shades of their truth, even those deemed less than beautiful.
