Catch Spring Fever - and support Huron's Young Writers
If you’re ready to kick start spring and finally say good-bye to winter blahs, turning to the young writers of Huron County for inspiration might be just the ticket.
One of the quickest ways to accomplish a seasonal revitalization is to pick up a copy of “Spring Fever – A Collection of Spring-Inspired Poetry,” a 71-page book by Huron County’s very own Allison Stein.
Allison is a sophomore at Harbor Beach High School. “Spring Fever” is her second poetry chapbook. Her first collection of poems, “Summer Sensations,” published in 2013.
I became familiar with Allison’s work two years ago. In 2013, she was a winner in the Huron Area Writers Group’s annual Celebration of Young Writers Creative Writing Contest for county high school and middle school students.
But Allison does not stand-alone when it comes to being among the skilled and talented young writers in Huron County. We have found great, young writers at every school in the area, both public and private.
Right now, hundreds of students throughout the county are writing essays, short stories, and poetry for the 2016 contest. Each school district in Huron County has been supplied with entry forms and rules for the contest. Entries will be accepted through April 29.
Winners will be announced and cash prizes will be awarded during Author’s Day on May 21 at the Pigeon District Library. Our guest of honor at this year’s Author Day is Edgar Award winning author Doug Allyn, one of Michigan’s great writing talents.
“Our contest gives young people across the county a chance to put their skills on display and earn recognition for exceptional work,” said author Dennis Collins, a co-founder of the Huron Area Writers Group. “The contest is wide open. Students get to choose the topic and genre. Entries can vary in length from 500 to 1,500 words.”
HAWG and the Thumb Arts Guild run the contest. Members from both groups, as well as Huron County Historical Society, judge the entries. Judges do not know the names of the entrants, only their ages and schools.
Members of HAWG are looking for contest sponsors and donors to fund the cash prizes and run the contest. All entrants will receive a Certificate of Recognition. Winners can earn cash prizes ranging from $50 to $250 for the Grand Prize winner. Those who would like to contribute to the contest should contact Collins at (989) 963-0052.
Winners will be recognized at Author’s Day where they will have a chance to meet published Huron County authors and meet Doug Allyn.
Author’s Day is where I bought Allison Stein’s latest book of poetry, which she signed for me. What I found so invigorating about her work is that it is brimming with optimism, which is what we are often looking for during the spring season.
Her work is delightful, but my favorite poem in “Spring Fever” is entitled Spring Bonfire. Allison’s writing is as crisp and clean as a breath of fresh air. Pick up a copy. And support young writers from across Huron County by contributing to the Celebration of Young Writers Creative Writing Contest.
Dave Vizard is a co-founder of the Huron Area Writers Group and a Michigan author who has published two novels. He can be reached at (989) 553-4804.
One of the quickest ways to accomplish a seasonal revitalization is to pick up a copy of “Spring Fever – A Collection of Spring-Inspired Poetry,” a 71-page book by Huron County’s very own Allison Stein.
Allison is a sophomore at Harbor Beach High School. “Spring Fever” is her second poetry chapbook. Her first collection of poems, “Summer Sensations,” published in 2013.
I became familiar with Allison’s work two years ago. In 2013, she was a winner in the Huron Area Writers Group’s annual Celebration of Young Writers Creative Writing Contest for county high school and middle school students.
But Allison does not stand-alone when it comes to being among the skilled and talented young writers in Huron County. We have found great, young writers at every school in the area, both public and private.
Right now, hundreds of students throughout the county are writing essays, short stories, and poetry for the 2016 contest. Each school district in Huron County has been supplied with entry forms and rules for the contest. Entries will be accepted through April 29.
Winners will be announced and cash prizes will be awarded during Author’s Day on May 21 at the Pigeon District Library. Our guest of honor at this year’s Author Day is Edgar Award winning author Doug Allyn, one of Michigan’s great writing talents.
“Our contest gives young people across the county a chance to put their skills on display and earn recognition for exceptional work,” said author Dennis Collins, a co-founder of the Huron Area Writers Group. “The contest is wide open. Students get to choose the topic and genre. Entries can vary in length from 500 to 1,500 words.”
HAWG and the Thumb Arts Guild run the contest. Members from both groups, as well as Huron County Historical Society, judge the entries. Judges do not know the names of the entrants, only their ages and schools.
Members of HAWG are looking for contest sponsors and donors to fund the cash prizes and run the contest. All entrants will receive a Certificate of Recognition. Winners can earn cash prizes ranging from $50 to $250 for the Grand Prize winner. Those who would like to contribute to the contest should contact Collins at (989) 963-0052.
Winners will be recognized at Author’s Day where they will have a chance to meet published Huron County authors and meet Doug Allyn.
Author’s Day is where I bought Allison Stein’s latest book of poetry, which she signed for me. What I found so invigorating about her work is that it is brimming with optimism, which is what we are often looking for during the spring season.
Her work is delightful, but my favorite poem in “Spring Fever” is entitled Spring Bonfire. Allison’s writing is as crisp and clean as a breath of fresh air. Pick up a copy. And support young writers from across Huron County by contributing to the Celebration of Young Writers Creative Writing Contest.
Dave Vizard is a co-founder of the Huron Area Writers Group and a Michigan author who has published two novels. He can be reached at (989) 553-4804.
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