The Utah Arts Council has announced the winners in its 1996 Original Writing Competition.
Heading the list is Darrell Spencer, a novelist and short story writer at Brigham Young University. Spencer won the $5,000 award - which must go toward promoting and publishing his book - for "Strange Fish," a novel.In all, the council gave out 18 awards.
Novel: First place, Katharine Coles, for "Cloud Cafe"; second place, Karla Bennion for "Glass Castle."
Nonfiction: First place, Dorothy Solomon, for "Of Predators, Prey"; second place, Reed Blake, for "Defining the Mountain West."
Poetry (book): First place, Connie Voisine, for "The Unbeautiful Few"; second place, Margot Schilpp, for "Parmanent Record."
Poetry (individual poems): First place, Sandra Skouson, for "Trying to Get Back"; second place, Jennifer Tonge, for "Peach"; honorable mention, Brenda Miller, for "Hunger."
Juvenile book: First place, Carol Lynch Williams, for "Emily Donaldson"; second place, Katherine Woodworth, for "Tom Cat"; honorable mention, Lyman Hafen, for "The Longest Summer"; honorable mention, Sharlene Mullins Glenn, for "Dance With Me Chipeta."
Short story: First place, Steven Cantwell, for "Zibetti"; second place, Julie Ann McNary, for "Blessings From . . ."; honorable mention, Paul Rawlins, for "Faith of the Fathers."
Essay: First place, Elaine Turner, for "Courses in Being Female"; second place, Marty Naparsteck, for "The Company of Writers"; honorable mention, David Hackford, for "Beechnut."