Exciting News

Finalist in 2026 First Novel Prize contest

If you follow any of my socials, you may have seen some exciting - for me - news. My debut novel has been named one of five finalists in the 2026 Larry Watson First Novel Contest from Cornerstone Press, a multiple award-winning and rising indie press at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I received an email and then saw this announcement on Facebook:

Reading through the finalists names, I thought I recognized one — Nancy Backes. Our sons, I was fairly certain, had progressed through FirstStage Theater Academy at about the same time. They’re both grown men now and pursuing work in acting and acting education. I’ve learned I was right. Nancy and I also share a writing connection with RedBird Studio, founder Judy Bridges, which later gave birth to Red Oak Writing Studio, director Kim Suhr.

The main character in my debut novel was “born” in a writing class at the then Redbird Studios. The studio and the class were run by Judy Bridges, a Wisconsin author and encourager extraordinaire. The class I took, Shut Up & Write, has since become a popular writing how-to book. I’ve learned from grad school and attending writer conferences in other states and countries, how lucky I am to live in a city with a vibrant writing community. In addition, we’re not far from another city with a strong writing foundation, Chicago. Looking at you Rebecca Makkai¹ and Story Studio.

Promise I’m not getting paid for this, but if you’re a writer looking for critique groups to help raise your writing level (caveat: these aren’t free), take a look at Red Oak Writing, most classes are offered virtually.

I’ve recently learned that Rachel Enright also has Red Oak Writing Studio connections! I don’t believe our paths have crossed there, yet, but hopefully they will.

And that’s my good news for today. I’m so grateful to be on this list and thrilled to see two other Redbird/Red Oak writers making up 60% of the finalists in this debut novelist contest. So many thanks to Judy Bridges, founder of RedBird and Kim Suhr², dynamic director of Red Oak Writing Studios.

Hoping my good news brings you a smile or two. I’m like a bride at her wedding - my face hurts from grinning.

1. Rebecca Makkai was my mentor for two semesters in the low-res MFA program at UNR at Lake Tahoe. Her teaching is a big reason my book is on this finalists’ list. She’s an incredible writer, person, and generous teacher. Follow her Substack, linked earlier, if you’re looking for top-notch writing craft and other info. And, if you happen to know her, ask if she remembers my cheese theory of literature which came up in my defense.

2. Kim Suhr and I met in that Shut Up and Write class mentioned earlier. We’ve become good friends and she introduced me to Cornerstone Press, home of the contest. She’s had two excellent short story collections published with Cornerstone, Close Call and Nothing to Lose.