A Colorful Success

Thank you for visiting my blog. Holiday greetings. 

In the words of treasurer Chrissy Jackson of the Florida Writers Foundation, “It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, born of the need for some joy in this horrible year that is 2020, a desire to share cheer with friends, and perhaps raise some funds to continue the fight against illiteracy.” 

We did it. We raised over 800 dollars. We listened to our two phenomenal workshop speakers agent, poet, and YA writer and Magic Bean Creator, Joyce Sweeney; and writer and teacher, Rob Sanders. Then thanks to Joyce and Bill Opperman our judges, we heard the winners read their entries. 

In the poetry category, our 2nd runner-up Sue Gerheim read her “Ode to Colors of the Holidays.” Through what has become the miracle of 2020, Zoom, her sister and nephew from Norway were able to listen to her read her sensory poem. First runner up,  Phyllis Brace McKinley, read her poignant “Caregiver’s Christmas,” and winner, Thornton Blease, read his powerful “Hearts Waiting in the Snow.”

Prose category 2nd runner-up, Marie Brack, shared her touching “Holiday Hues.” Then 1st runner-up Myrna Ossin’s “Gladys’ Cookies” provided us with a memory of special people now missing from our lives. Prose winner, Elizabeth Vollstadt’s short story “A Glimpse of Christmas Joy” brought many to cathartic tears.  

I add my sincere thanks to Chrissy’s. Vice-president Linda Kraus and I wish all of you a colorful holiday full of cheer. In Linda’s case, a cuppa. A sincere thank you is owed to Zame Khan who sent confirmation emails to entrants, Tami Lowe Whiting for sending thank you emails to everyone who donated, JC Gatlin for handling our website materials, Bill Opperman for volunteering to judge, and to Arielle Haughee Florida Writers Association’s marketing chair for spreading the word.  

I’m looking forward to ordering a signed copy of Rob Sander’s Bling Blaine: Throw Glitter, Not Shade to read this Christmas. It seems to be the perfect picture book choice for me. I also hope to share a poem from Joyce Sweeney’s Wake Up with you soon. I’m optimistic she’ll find the perfect publisher for my novel in verse What Lies Beneath in 2021. A special thank you to Rob, Joyce, Chrissy, Linda, and my followers. Wishing you all a Colorful Holiday and a Magic Bean.

FYI, Joyce gives those she works with magic beans when they get published by a traditional publisher. Thanks, Joyce, for making me Magic Bean #59.