Council for Wisconsin Writers

Award Winners for Work Published in 2008

For Immediate Release

April 6, 2009

Kevin Henkes of Madison has won the Major Achievement Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers for his work as children's author of more than 25 children's picture books and novels, including the bestselling Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Olive's Ocean, Newbery Honor book. The CWW award carries with it $1000 and a month's residency at Edenfred, the Artists Retreat established by the Terry Foundation in Madison. 

Seven other Wisconsin writers have been named as award winners for work published in 2008. The awards carry $500 each and a week's residency at Edenfred. Out-of-state judges made the selections.

Richard Quinney of Madison won the Kingery-Derleth Book-Length Nonfiction Award for his book Things Once Seen. Jerrianne Hayslett of South Milwaukee received an honorable mention for her book, Anatomy of a Trial: Lessons Learned from the People vs. O.J. Simpson. Rebecca O'Connor of California judged.

Anthony Bukoski of Superior won the Anne Powers Book-Length Fiction award for North of the Port. Tied for honorable mention were David McGlynn of Appleton, for The End of the Straight and Narrow, and Rae Meadows of Madison for No One Tells Everything.  Madeleine Mysko of Maryland judged.

Ronald Wallace of Madison won the Posner Poetry Book Award for For a Limited Time Only. Erin Hanusa of Madison received an honorable mention for her collection The House of Marriage: Poems. Debra Bruce of Illinois judged.

David McGlynn of Appleton won the Kay W. Levin Short Nonfiction award for his article "Hydrophobia" in the Missouri Review.  Kurt Chandler of Wauwatosa received an honorable mention for "The Joker" in Milwaukee Magazine. Jennifer Manion of Minnesota judged.

Ingrid Kallick of Madison won the Larry and Eleanor Sternig Short Fiction Award for her story "Sonia" in Wisconsin People and Ideas. Jeff Esterholm of Verona received an honorable mention for "The Return of the Norseman" from The Dirty Napkin online journal. Tatyana Mishel of Washington judged.

Susan Firer of Milwaukee won the Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award for "Pumpkin Seeds" and other selected poems. Cathryn Coffell received an honorable mention. Bruce Bennett of New York judged.

Pat Schmatz of Amherst Junction won the Tofte/Wright Children's Literature award for her book Mousetraps. JoAnn Early Macken received an honorable mention for Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move. Amy Friedman of California judged.

Jerry Apps of Madison won the Ellis-Henderson Outdoor Writing Award for his book Old Farm: A History. Robert  C. Willging of Rhinelander received an honorable mention for On the Hunt: The History of Deer Hunting in Wisconsin. Stephen Bodio of New Mexico judged.

In a new student contest sponsored by CWW, Jennifer Heup of Shawano received the $150 Essay Award for Young Writers for her essay "Observations of an Amateur Astronomer." Elley Bley of Delafield received honorable mention for her essay "Both." The CWW Board of Directors judged.

Awards will be presented to the winners May 9 at CWW's annual banquet at the Wisconsin Club, 900 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, with a reception at 11:00 a.m. and luncheon and program following. Tickets are $25 and may be reserved at www.wisconsinwriters.org  or by contacting Carolyn Kott Washburne at 414-961-1995 or ckw44@wi.rr.com..

The Council for Wisconsin Writers, organized in 1964, is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting awareness of Wisconsin's great literary heritage and to encouraging excellence among today's Wisconsin writers. Edenfred, a creative arts residency program devoted to development of the arts established in 2004, is a part of the Terry Family Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization.