OWFI Writing Contest Winners from 4RV

Cynthia Henzel with new release and Vivian Zabel, publisher

     The Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc (OWFI) holds a writing contest and a conference each year. During the Saturday night banquet at the conference, the 1st Vice-president announces the winners. With that background, let's visit the 2015 OWFI Conference.

     Several of us arrived at Embassy Suites in Oklahoma City beginning April 30, with others following May 1, when actual sessions began. We had staff  and authors attend from Texas, Arizona, and Oklahoma. I'm not sure who traveled the farther, Holly Jahangiri from Houston or Cynthia Henzel from Tucson. Jacque Graham, Renee' LaViness, Vickey Malone, Jen Nipps (our new assistant to the editor-in-chief), Nikola Marshall (a new acquisition editor) and I represented the editorial staff and board. Authors attending included Janet K. Brown, Jim Laughter, Tony LoPresti, Cynthia Henzel (whose first novel with 4RV made its debute), and Holly Jahangiri, as well as me.

     When winners were announced at Saturday's banquet, some 4RV authors received awards.

Cynthia Henzel with her 1st place certificate and check

Cynthia Henzel took first place in Middle Grade Unpublished Book . Hopefully she will give 4RV the opportunity to publish the book some day. She participated in the author autograph party for Young Adult books with her new release Myth Rider.

Holly Jahangiri with her 2nd place

Holly Jahangiri received 2nd place in Flash Fiction with her story "#2 Pencil." She also participated in the author autograph party for children's books with Trockle and A Puppy, Not a Guppy.

Vivian Zabel with her 2nd place award

Vivian Zabel took 2nd place in Blog/Column with her blog entry "How to Describe Deep Emotional Pain" and Honorable Mention for her Memoir/Nostalgia Article "I Don't Want to Know."

     We had an enjoyable time, learned much to help with our writing and publishing business. Hopefully, next year we'll have more 4RV people enter the contest, attend the conference, and bring home awards.