2024 Contest Winner Interviews
From K.W. Oxnard, our 2024 Fiction Winner.
Tell us a little bit about the piece that won: what inspired you to write it, a bit about the process it went through, etc.
The germ of “Belle of the Ball” had been clawing at the soil in my brain for years—decades, if you include my own experience of a debutante season in Washington, DC. Then, during the onset of the pandemic, many stories with a medical theme sprouted, including that one. I wrote the first draft in a gush during a residency at Hambidge Center, an art colony in the north Georgia mountains. I refined it over the next few months,
incorporating brilliant feedback from my 12-year-old Savannah writing group, True Lit. Those three incredible women writers suggested that I pare down the opening to jump right into the action. I did, and the story blossomed.
What were some of the factors that influenced you to submit to our Festival?
Years ago, a writer friend entered and won the TW Fest very short fiction contest, and she described it thus: “It’s like winning the lottery, receiving an Oscar, being crowned queen and getting an Olympic gold medal all at once–and the festival folks treat you like a celebrity!” Writing takes its toll on a body. I toil away in obscurity, creating art on spec in the hopes that it might resonate with someone, somewhere, at some time. Mostly that’s okay. I write for myself, because I must. Because that’s who I am. A writer. But, you know, a little recognition once in a while? Well, it’s sweet. So I entered this contest year after year, hoping against hope that maybe one of my stories might be right for the festival and the judges. And then, suddenly, I was a finalist. Huzzah! And then, lo and behold, a couple of years later…I won! Other than my wedding day, winning the TW Fest fiction contest was the loveliest moment of my life thus far.
Tell us about finding out you were the winner, how you felt, who you told, etc.
I was in the car with my elderly dad, driving him home from an event. Traffic came to a halt on the causeway to his barrier island off of Savannah, GA, so I put the car in park and scrolled through my email. When I saw the message from TW Fest, with the subject line, “Congratulations!”, frankly, I thought, Yeah, yeah, yeah, don’t get your hopes up, Katherine—you’re the runner up, just like last time. But because Dad was still on the phone with one of his doctors, I kept reading…and reading…and reading…and shouted “OH MY GOD DAD I WON!!! I WON I WON I WON!” He looked at me in terror until he realized what I was saying. “You won?!” I managed to spit out, “I WON I WON I WON FIRST PRIZE!!!!!” I almost hyperventilated with elation—at least until traffic started moving again and I had to focus so as not to drive off the bridge into the Moon River.
What were some of your favorite things about attending the Festival?
Meeting Margot Douaihy, the writer who chose my story, stands out as the most precious memory. I can’t explain how special it was, how tender I felt towards this person who clearly really got my story, really understood and appreciated what I wanted it to say to the world. Margot is so kind and gushed in person about my work, and I only wish I’d had more opportunities to interact with her and the other judges and winners.
And I adored the session with Michael Cunningham, who took a potentially boring hour of craft talk and turned it into a quirky, provocative exploration of character by engaging with one of the high school student attendees in a fascinating conversation. Somehow, in just a few minutes, the two of them entranced us all—it felt magical and spurred some fun and unpredictable written responses.
What are you working on now?
I’m trying to decide whether to revise an older novel set in Puerto Rico or begin researching a new novel set in 1970s Cincinnati—I should land on one or the other by the end of the year. In the meantime, I’m writing a lot of flash and micro fiction, which satisfies my need to create while also freeing me up to think about those longer, book-long projects.
Do you have any new publication news you’d like to share?
Just last weekend, I signed a contract with Unsolicited Press in Portland, Oregon, to publish a collection of stories entitled THE LEG IN QUESTION that includes my prizewinning story, “Belle of the Ball.” It will appear in 2026, and I’m so dang excited about it!
From Kevin Brodie, our 2024 One-Act Play Winner.
Tell us a little bit about the piece that won: what inspired you to write it, a bit about the process it went through, etc.
“Leviathan” was partly inspired by the experience I had as a ten year old, when a plane crashed near my elementary school. Like the Son character in the play, I was essentially on my own to process what had happened. I thought of different ways I could explore the theme of trauma and resilience, and decided that the interaction of the Son with the estranged Father was a good conduit to express those ideas dramatically.
What were some of the factors that influenced you to submit to our Festival?
Outside of theatres for production, a playwright is always looking for competitions with prestige to further one’s career. This competition most certainly fits that bill.
Tell us about finding out you were the winner, how you felt, who you told, etc.
I was very surprised! I knew I was a finalist, and was very pleased by that, but I didn’t anticipate winning at all. When I got the email that I had won, it was a mixture of excitement and disbelief. Then the reality set in—it’s only eight days away, and I have to find an airfare and a Vrbo! I have to admit I neglected my actual job for a couple of hours to make those arrangements. The first person I told was my wife. It was hard to initially keep it from my colleagues, but I wanted her to be the first to know.
What were some of your favorite things about attending the Festival?
It was amazing to hear the play read–especially since I was joined by some writer/actor/director friends I hadn’t seen in years. All of the Tennessee Williams readings/productions, meeting Michael Cunningham and Colm Toibin, the walking tour of TW’s French Quarter, the food and the music—there really is no other place like New Orleans.
What are you working on now?
Doing a number of revisions to my stage and screenplays, whilst working on mastering the art of the ten minute play.
Do you have any new publication news you’d like to share?
A full-length play of mine had a world premiere here in Connecticut in May, and a screenplay of mine won the StoryPros contest last month. I also have another full length play that will have a staged reading this fall.
From Rachel Kerger, our 2024 Very Short Fiction Winner.
Tell us a little bit about the piece that won: what inspired you to write it, a bit about the process it went through, etc.
The piece that I wrote, “Making Macaroni In A Hand-Me-Down Pot,” came from a prompt that I was given in one of my grad school workshops. We were asked about legacy and what we are given from our family. Not only did I want to write about the traits that we are given, but I also wanted to embody the complications of our inheritance within the physical things we are passed down.
What were some of your favorite things about attending the Festival?
I loved all of the walking tours that I went on through the festival. I had never been to NOLA before, so it was amazing to learn about the history of the city and specifically the French Quarter. The bookstore was also a highlight for me. I walked away from the festival with so many new stories and authors to explore.
What are you working on now?
Presently, I am working on a short story collection that focuses on fairytale adaptations. With magical realism influences, the stories focus on the morals that we were taught as children and how applicable the tales are to our everyday lives.
