Teen writers wanted for library fiction contest
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month AGO
North Central Washington Libraries, which includes the Quincy library shown here as well as branches in Moses Lake, Mattawa, Othello, Ephrata and other nearby cities, is accepting entries for its annual Teen Short Fiction Competition.
FILE PHOTO
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | March 20, 2025 3:35 AM
WENATCHEE — North Central Washington Libraries is accepting submissions for the 2025 Teen Short Fiction Competition. NCW Libraries oversees the operation of libraries in and near Grant County, among others.
Entries need to be 2,000 words or shorter and the teen’s original, unpublished work, according to NCW Libraries’ website, but other than that the field is pretty wide open, said NCW Libraries Teen Services Coordinator Jessica Lynch.
“It could be a variety of genres,” Lynch said. “It ranges from complete short stories to the first chapter of what will become a longer work, but they've kind of encapsulated it as a shorter piece … We've had stories where it's from the perspective of an animal. We've had stories where it's a murder mystery. It really can be whatever they want to pursue.”
The contest is open to students, including private, home-schooled, and Running Start students, in ninth through 12th grade in Grant, Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan and Ferry counties. The last winner from Grant County was in 2022 when then-sophomore Bridget Jones from Quincy High School received an honorable mention for her story “A Letter for the End of the World.”
The contest is co-sponsored by Write on the Water, a Wenatchee-based organization formed in 2005 to foster connections among writers as well as connecting them with learning and publishing opportunities, according to its website.
One regulation that wouldn’t have been necessary a few years ago is that no artificial intelligence generative tools like ChatGPT may be used in the writing. So far nobody has tried to pass off AI writing as their own, Lynch said, possibly because the library has always been clear about that restriction.
“What the judges are looking for is something creative with the author's voice,” Lynch said. (They’re) looking for development of a character, or a plot or a theme, and trying to experiment with their creative expression. But of course, clarity is helpful too, so we can understand what they're trying to convey.”
The submission deadline is April 11. Stories can be submitted at https://bit.ly/NCWTeenFiction25. More information is available at www.ncwlibraries.org.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
NCWJLS kicks off livestock show season
MOSES LAKE — Young animal growers started the season March 19-21 at the North Central Washington Junior Livestock, held at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake. “We are the first (show) of the year,” said Michelle Farrer, show manager for the NCWJLS. “So we’re the first opportunity for kids to get their animals in the show ring and work those jitters out and practice for larger shows around the area, including county shows.” The sale is a three-day affair, Farrer said. The exhibitors weigh in Thursday afternoon, show their animals all day Friday, and then they’re judged on Saturday morning. Also Saturday morning is a meat judging contest, Farrer said.
Vanderhoff named Apple Blossom Citizen of the Year
WENATCHEE — Delbert Vanderhoff of Wenatchee had no idea he’d been named the 2026 Apple Blossom Citizen of the Year. “I can’t believe they did that,” Vanderhoff said. “I’ve always told my kids, ‘This is a small town. I know everybody. You can probably do things, but you need to understand that I will find out.’ When Darci (Christopherson) came in and surprised me, I said, ‘I can’t believe you kept it a secret.’” Christopherson, the Apple Blossom Festival coordinator, said Vanderhoff was selected by a board made up of past winners, who look for things like community involvement, commitment to furthering the industry and mentoring the next generation of growers. “(Vanderhoff) has been in the business since he graduated high school,” Christopherson said. “He’s very passionate about it.
Rusty Mammoth Sale supports museum in a big way
MOSES LAKE — This year’s Rusty Mammoth Sale at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center was, well, mammoth. “We about doubled what we usually bring in for this type of thing,” said Museum Superintendent Dollie Boyd. “We got really close to $6,000, and we’re accustomed to making closer to $3,000. Our friends and supporters really came out to show us some love.” Part of the reason, Boyd said, was that the sale came at the beginning of yard sale season. “The bargain hunters are hungry after a winter of being trapped inside,” she said. “And I think people are seeing what’s going on with city budgeting and want to help any way they can. And if they get to take home some treasures, then all the better.”