The 2007 InnermoonLit Award for Best Short-Short Story
First prize: Ravenwood: Night's Salvation by Laurie Sorenson
Sorenson takes her readers back to the 18th century with vivid characters, strong dialogue, and, above all, a
complex and compelling conflict. The first chapter holds a real sense that the story has to continue, hooking
the reader, raising possibilities, and making you want more. That's what the Best First Chapter contest is all
about. Here is a synopsis of the novel provided by Ms. Sorenson:
"Night Ravenwood loves the sea. Compelled by honor and duty, he returns home upon his brother's death.
An arranged marriage and heirship of Ravenwood Manor await him. Falling in love with his bride, Satine,
had not been his plan. Her glowing beauty and serene manner take his breath away. Tragedy strikes the
newlywed couple and tests their bond. Someone risks murder to keep them apart. A child plays an
unforeseen part in changing Night's life, while Satine vows to make Night see his salvation lies with her.
Does love win out?"
Sorenson takes her readers back to the 18th century with vivid characters, strong dialogue, and, above all, a
complex and compelling conflict. The first chapter holds a real sense that the story has to continue, hooking
the reader, raising possibilities, and making you want more. That's what the Best First Chapter contest is all
about. Here is a synopsis of the novel provided by Ms. Sorenson:
"Night Ravenwood loves the sea. Compelled by honor and duty, he returns home upon his brother's death.
An arranged marriage and heirship of Ravenwood Manor await him. Falling in love with his bride, Satine,
had not been his plan. Her glowing beauty and serene manner take his breath away. Tragedy strikes the
newlywed couple and tests their bond. Someone risks murder to keep them apart. A child plays an
unforeseen part in changing Night's life, while Satine vows to make Night see his salvation lies with her.
Does love win out?"
Second prize: Changing the Shape of the Alphabet by Kristel Yoneda
Yoneda's writing has a fresh, sardonic voice and a wonderful sense of humor. Her entry begins with the
story of a romantic relationship between two women, an idea with lots of possibilities and room for
expansion.
Yoneda's writing has a fresh, sardonic voice and a wonderful sense of humor. Her entry begins with the
story of a romantic relationship between two women, an idea with lots of possibilities and room for
expansion.
Third prize: Shout When Jubilee Comes by Rita Hubbard
Hubbard's entry features lovely prose, authentic characters, and a striking eye for detail. Set in the
antebellum American South, her entry immediately establishes an intriguing conflict and leaves the reader
wanting more. Here is a description of the novel provided by Ms. Hubbard:
"Shout When Jubilee Comes is the story of Ham, an uneducated mulatto with a brilliant mind and a
physician's touch, who vows to leave the South by whatever means necessary...even if he must lead a revolt
to gain his freedom. Just as he perfects his plan, he meets Jubilee, an educated freeborn whose
undercover teaching activities make her little more than an outlaw. She vows to stand her ground and
remain in the South, though discovery of her illegal actions will mean certain death.
They both had good, solid plans...until they fell in love."
Hubbard's entry features lovely prose, authentic characters, and a striking eye for detail. Set in the
antebellum American South, her entry immediately establishes an intriguing conflict and leaves the reader
wanting more. Here is a description of the novel provided by Ms. Hubbard:
"Shout When Jubilee Comes is the story of Ham, an uneducated mulatto with a brilliant mind and a
physician's touch, who vows to leave the South by whatever means necessary...even if he must lead a revolt
to gain his freedom. Just as he perfects his plan, he meets Jubilee, an educated freeborn whose
undercover teaching activities make her little more than an outlaw. She vows to stand her ground and
remain in the South, though discovery of her illegal actions will mean certain death.
They both had good, solid plans...until they fell in love."
Rita Hubbard
Kristel Yoneda is a recent graduate of George Washington
University, where she received a B.A. in religion. She has
recently moved back to Hawaii where she says she is
completing her first novel and enjoying the weather. Yoneda
invites you to visit her Live Journal here.
University, where she received a B.A. in religion. She has
recently moved back to Hawaii where she says she is
completing her first novel and enjoying the weather. Yoneda
invites you to visit her Live Journal here.
Rita Lorraine Hubbard is Founder and CEO of Shades of Greatness™
Calendars, which pay tribute to the lives of early African American inventors. Her
calendars received a favorable review from Teaching Pre-K-8 Magazine in
2004.
Rita is a former Special Education teacher, and is currently a member of
(SCBWI) Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is the author of
several unpublished children’s books focusing on the challenges of children in
the “special” population. But since she also loves a good historical romance,
she could not resist writing Shout When Jubilee Comes.
Rita is also author of the book, The Little City That Could: Early African
American Achievement in Chattanooga, which is published by The History
Press, and will debut in December, 2007.
Calendars, which pay tribute to the lives of early African American inventors. Her
calendars received a favorable review from Teaching Pre-K-8 Magazine in
2004.
Rita is a former Special Education teacher, and is currently a member of
(SCBWI) Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is the author of
several unpublished children’s books focusing on the challenges of children in
the “special” population. But since she also loves a good historical romance,
she could not resist writing Shout When Jubilee Comes.
Rita is also author of the book, The Little City That Could: Early African
American Achievement in Chattanooga, which is published by The History
Press, and will debut in December, 2007.
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:: Brian Agincourt Massey ::
:: 2007 Contest Winners ::
A one-time military brat, Laurie now lives in West
animals. This domestic goddess spends her time
writing and caring for her family. Devoted to home and
why she feels compelled to write.
I am pleased to announce that, after entering the
contest, Sorenson sold her novel to Light Sword
Publishing. It will be available later this year, so be sure
to pick up a copy. For more information, please see Ms.
Sorenson's website and the MySpace page for
Ravenwood: Night's Salvation.
animals. This domestic goddess spends her time
writing and caring for her family. Devoted to home and
why she feels compelled to write.
I am pleased to announce that, after entering the
contest, Sorenson sold her novel to Light Sword
Publishing. It will be available later this year, so be sure
to pick up a copy. For more information, please see Ms.
Sorenson's website and the MySpace page for
Ravenwood: Night's Salvation.
Kristel Yoneda
Ad prepared by Laurie Sorenson's publisher
The 2007 InnermoonLit Award for Best First Chapter of a Novel
When a desperate woman composing a suicide note on her computer starts getting unwanted intervention
from her Microsoft Office Assistant (the animated paper clip), it pushes her over the edge. A darkly hilarious,
deftly written glimpse into the frustration we all feel when computers try to think for us.
from her Microsoft Office Assistant (the animated paper clip), it pushes her over the edge. A darkly hilarious,
deftly written glimpse into the frustration we all feel when computers try to think for us.
Laura Loomis is a social worker currently looking for a publisher
for her novel about child protective work. Her fiction has and is
forthcoming in The First Line. A story in Margin was nominated
for a Pushcart Prize.
Laura lives in the San Francisco area with her partner, their
teenage niece, an assortment of animals, and an evil computer.
for her novel about child protective work. Her fiction has and is
forthcoming in The First Line. A story in Margin was nominated
for a Pushcart Prize.
Laura lives in the San Francisco area with her partner, their
teenage niece, an assortment of animals, and an evil computer.
Laura Loomis
Second prize: "the night we never did it" by Steve Nelson
Nelson displays a unique, hypnotic voice in this poignant piece about a relationship that wasn't meant to be
and the regret that lingers on.
Nelson displays a unique, hypnotic voice in this poignant piece about a relationship that wasn't meant to be
and the regret that lingers on.
The Rambler, Riverwind, eye rhyme, Storyglossia, and
The Absinthe Review. His essay "Mind Wide Open"
was included in the anthology The Runner's High:
Illumination and Ecstacy in Motion. "Night at the Store,"
a novel excerpt, was published in Phantasmagoria and
nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Steve is a former fiction
editor of The Cream City Review and currently teaches
writing classes at the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee, where he earned his Ph.D. in Creative
Writing. He can be emailed at stnelson at uwm.edu.
The Absinthe Review. His essay "Mind Wide Open"
was included in the anthology The Runner's High:
Illumination and Ecstacy in Motion. "Night at the Store,"
a novel excerpt, was published in Phantasmagoria and
nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Steve is a former fiction
editor of The Cream City Review and currently teaches
writing classes at the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee, where he earned his Ph.D. in Creative
Writing. He can be emailed at stnelson at uwm.edu.
Steve Nelson
Third prize: "Fake" by Mab Ryan
"Fake" is a beautifully written vignette centering on waiting room dynamics. Anyone who's spent countless
hours in doctors' offices can relate.
"Fake" is a beautifully written vignette centering on waiting room dynamics. Anyone who's spent countless
hours in doctors' offices can relate.
for National Novel Writing Month 2006) and a variety of flash
fiction. She enjoys writing satirical fantasy where she can twist
or burst cliches.
Mab lives in Wisconsin but is looking forward to moving back
to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She works as a server
at Olive Garden, is a recent vegetarian, and loves to
experiment with new recipes.
fiction. She enjoys writing satirical fantasy where she can twist
or burst cliches.
Mab lives in Wisconsin but is looking forward to moving back
to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She works as a server
at Olive Garden, is a recent vegetarian, and loves to
experiment with new recipes.
