Paul Hughes Creative Writing Award Winners and Finalists

The Department of English and Languages presents the Winners and Finalists of the 2020 Paul Hughes Memorial Writing Award, an annual creative writing competition open to all East Central University students.  Any form of creative writing, including poetry, fiction, drama, teleplay, screenplay, and creative nonfiction, is eligible for consideration.

First Prize $250

Kara Hodo "The Marionette." This excerpt consisted of the first three chapters of her middle grade horror novel, which she has completed. Although the novel is aimed at younger readers, it demonstrates high levels of skill and artistry in every facet of storytelling. This is one of the most accomplished works ever submitted for a Paul Hughes Award.

Second Prize $150

Taylor Johnson "Bait"  This short story demonstrates excellent narrative skill, character development, and scene development. The dialogue is amazingly effective. Most years, this story would have claimed top prize. 

Third Prize $100

Mitchell Potts "Glass"  This story offers a new take on an old theme: a character stuck in a small town he cannot escape. This character-driven story is rendered with marvelous sentences and imagery. 

Finalists 

* Kate Carlin "Witness Statement"  This is the first time this author has submitted work for the award, and it is amazingly ambitious and skillful. She renders a police woman's experience with a young woman who is being abused yet is more deceptive than any of the other characters involved. Most years, this story would have received one of the three prizes. 

* Jill Taylor "Symphony"  This story blends narrative skill with philosophical theories in a stylish and provocative manner. 

* Bryce Clark "Trajectory"  This story uses a slice of life scene set in the future wherein a motorist stuck in traffic watches an ad on a video screen that depicts horrific explosions involving children, all in the name of societal motivation.