Once again, LEO devotes its pages to the city’s most talented writers and photographers. We’ve held our annual Literary LEO contest for more than two decades now, and each year it’s refreshing to observe the depth and scope of all the submitted entries.
LEO believes in the written word and the power of photography, and we celebrate and thank everyone who entered. We’d also like to thank the judges, who had to pore over each poem, each short story and each photograph to select the very best.
We are honoring the winners tonight at Spalding University’s Egan Leadership Center, where they will read their poems and flash fiction, short fiction and “something different” pieces. The winning black-and-white and color photographs will also be on display. The event occurs from 5:30-9 p.m. and is free and open to everyone. We hope you join us in honoring Louisville’s best. —Sara Havens, editor
Judge Bios:
Flash Fiction/Short Fiction — Jason Howard
Jason Howard is the author of “A Few Honest Words: The Kentucky Roots of Popular Music.” His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Nation, Paste, Sojourners and on NPR.
Poetry — Marianne Worthington
Marianne Worthington is co-founder and poetry editor of Still: The Journal and poetry editor of Now & Then: The Appalachian Magazine. She lives and teaches in Williamsburg, Ky.
Something Different — Erin Keane
Erin Keane is the author of three collections of poetry. The latest, “Demolition of the Promised Land,” will be released this year by Typecast Publishing. She teaches in the MFA program at National University and is the arts and humanities reporter for WFPL.
Photography — Bill Luster
Photographer Bill Luster is best known for his 42 years at The Courier-Journal, during which he received two Pulitzer Prizes and numerous awards. Since his retirement in 2011, his work has been featured in exhibitions, including two shows during the recent Louisville Photo Biennial.
Flash Fiction
1st — “This could be me” by Betsy Bryant
2nd — “Amtrak Rails” by Zachary Michael Hester
3rd — “And Not South” by Benjamin Lampkin
Honorable Mention — “A Walk” by Linda Satterlee
Honorable Mention — “Parousia” by L.E. Elder
Short Fiction
1st — “The Old Man in 604” by Bryant A. Stamford
2nd — “A Good Job is Hard to Keep” by MaryAnn Fitzharris
3rd — “Low Tide” by Eve Forbes
Honorable Mention — “Stay Forever” by Michael Tyler McDaniel
Honorable Mention — “The Volkswagen” by Kathryn Shaver
Poetry
1st — “Thanksgiving” by Jinn Bug
2nd — “The Stray” by Georgia Wallace
3rd — “How November Never Shines Straight Down” by Mary O’Dell
Honorable Mention — “The Wasp” by Kathryn Shaver
Honorable Mention — “A Portrait of the Poet as an Escape Artist” by Steve Cambron
Something Different
1st — “The Fine Print” by Rob Donald
2nd — “Small Talk at Nikos’s Grill House” by Jean Tucker
3rd — “Where Things Went Wrong” by Rene Blansette
Honorable Mention — “Today’s Horoscope” by Rob Donald
Color Photography
1st — “Wearied of Wonders” by Jinn Bug
2nd — “Any Barrier is in Your Mind” by Jinn Bug
3rd — “Negative Blue Thunder” by Ann Pollard
Honorable Mention — “Dancing Light” by Kim Brady
Honorable Mention — “Indiana” by Ryan Tassi
Honorable Mention — “Red Sunflower” by Dale McMakin
Black & White Photography
1st — “Refuge” by Dan Rubin
2nd — “Mlijeko” by Jenna Farineau
3rd — “Mjölk” by Jenna Farineau
Honorable Mention — “From this Turning” by Jinn Bug
Honorable Mention — “Milkweed” by Dale McMakin
This article appears in January 28, 2014.