Meet the Author

Young smiling woman with long curly hair parted in middle in a white shirt and dark jacket

Cycles Writing Contest Winner

By Theresa Kopper
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Mar 30, 2023

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Theresa Kopper has won our writing contest on the theme of Cycles with her piece "Someone Forgotten."

I am just beginning my creative writing quest. I write as a hobby, in between taking care of my two children, and working as an environmental engineer. This story is about the harmful cycle of beauty, and how it impacts those most vulnerable. As well as, how our society rewards those who continue this cycle.

Someone Forgotten

It was small reminders, really— like how in groups, when someone tells a joke and people lock eyes and laugh, no one looks

smiling woman with shoulder length grey hair in a blue short sleeved top with one hand in her jeans pocket

Cycles Writing Contest Winner

By Lori Stratton
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Mar 1, 2023

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Lori Stratton has won our writing contest on the theme of Cycles with her piece "Seasons."


Lori Stratton is a high school English teacher, writer, mother, grandmother, wife, and daughter. Find more of her work on Medium at https://medium.com/@ljstratton50, and at lorijstratton.com.


Seasons


I appreciate the way the seasons melt together


and the way we never really know where


one starts and another ends


or which one comes first in the cycle.


The way March’s green first peeps


then shoots through


February’s remaining muddy white

smiling black woman with glasses and a yellow and black checkered shirt in front of a book case

Ekphrasis Contest Winner

By Sandra Revelle
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Jan 23, 2023

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Sandra Revelle has won our writing contest on the theme of Ekphrasis with her piece "Diamonds." "Diamonds" is a written response to the image of Ruth Wilson Gilmore by Patricia Streeper which can be seen in "Patricia Streeper: Women's Work, Portraits of Strength and Contribution."


Sandra Revelle is primarily a textile artist and short story writer. Her art can be found at Remnantsarise.com


Diamonds


You ask why I stand with head erect; arms crossed in defiant confidence?


What kind of shields cascade down my body, these locs of

blond woman with shoulder length hair and glasses in a jean jacket with red shirt with field and sky behind

Ekphrasis Contest Winner

By Heather G. Taylor
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Jan 13, 2023

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Heather G. Taylor has won our writing contest on the theme of Ekphrasis with her piece "The Pieces."


Heather G. Taylor is a life-long fan of poetry. Her greatest poetry-related achievements include meeting former US Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser, and winning $5 in a dental-themed poetry contest. But she doesn't like to brag. She lives in Olathe, Kansas, with her husband, Rion, and their Golden Retriever, Jasper.


The Pieces

Inspired by Patti Streeper’s Ruth Wilson Gilmore


We are each our own puzzle.

Framed by our circumstances,

And

Curly-haired blond woman with glasses, hands folded in front of her, looking pensive

Ekphrasis Writing Contest Winner

By Vicki Kohl
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Dec 12, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Vicki Kohl has won our writing contest on the theme of Ekphrasis with her piece "I Am Become a Name."


Vicki Kohl is a retired high school English and journalism teacher. Much of her writing for 30+ years were comments to students on their writing, letters of recommendation and emails. She did have an essay on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" win recognition from the Jane Austen Society of North America several years ago, so there's that. And she wrote the Olathe Community Theater's newsletter for several years. Other than that, she's

blonde bearded man in ball cap and blue shirt with baby in a backpack holding a feather

Oceans of Possibility Writing Contest Winner

By Ian James Fannin-Hughes
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Sep 17, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Ian James Fannin-Hughes has won our writing contest on the theme of Oceans of Possibility with his piece "All You Wanted Was the Ocean."


Ian is an environmental scientist, grower of too much okra, father of human children, and an aspiring fiction writer from the Kansas side of the Blue River Watershed.


All You Wanted Was the Ocean


You wouldn't shut up about the ocean, either of you.


Long before we set the trip in stone, before we showed either of you on a map, before you understood that the ocean was horizon-spanning, endless water

Aug 17, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Amber Dawkins has won our writing contest on the theme of Oceans of Possibility with her piece "Oceans of Possibility."


Amber loves jellybeans, morning snuggles, and new adventures. Personality tests peg her as 93% extroverted. She loves to write, but most of the time, you’ll find her behind her camera lens. Amber left her teaching position in 2016 to turn her passion into a full time photography career. She now spends time photographing homes for real estate agents and creating branding imagery for businesses by capturing their spaces

dark haired girl smiling

Oceans of Possibility Writing Contest Winner

By Molly Hopkins
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Jul 22, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Molly Hopkins has won our short story writing contest on the theme of Oceans of Possibility with her piece "Dead or Alive."


Molly Hopkins is a feisty individual, who lives out adventures in her mind as there is little she can do with her body. Driven to writing due to a severe chronic illness, Molly finds purpose, intrigue, and joy in the world of her imagination and the art of storytelling. For more of her work, visit www.goldinthegray.com.


Dead or Alive


I didn’t die the day I stepped on that landmine, but I might as well have

Blond woman in black clothes with a white spotted dog standing in front of a lake

Oceans of Possibility Writing Contest Winner

By Marcia Hurlow
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Jun 14, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Marcia Hurlow has won our writing contest on the theme of Oceans of Possibility with her piece "On Old Silver Beach with Jane."


Marcia L. Hurlow is a poet, fiction writer and journalist. She has a full-length book of poetry, Anomie (Edges Prize, WordTech) and five award-winning chapbooks of poetry. Her individual poems have appeared in Poetry, Wax Paper, Chicago Review, Poetry South, Louisville Review, River Styx, Poetry East and others. She is co-editor of Kansas City Voices.


ON OLD SILVER BEACH WITH JANE


As a child, Jane once

red-haired, smiling young man in a blue collared shirt

The Unknown Writing Contest Winner

By Jack Vandeleuv
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
May 18, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Jack Vandeleuv has won our writing contest on the theme of The Unknown with his piece "Exhibit."


Jack Vandeleuv is a longtime Kansas City resident and former employee of Johnson County Library. He has not yet published any works of fiction.


Exhibit


Natalie was uncharacteristically quiet. Her classmates stomped their feet in anticipation, but she was careful with each step, almost reverent. The hall was simply designed, with black marble walls and a high ceiling. Spherical chandeliers cast light on the sea of craning heads above

woman with blonde bangs and red lipstick

The Unknown Writing Contest Winner

By Claire McMurray
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Apr 6, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Claire McMurray has won our essay writing contest on the theme of The Unknown with her piece "Who Is She?" 


Claire McMurray has a doctorate in French from Yale University and runs a blog about special needs parenting at: www.idontknowhowyoudoit.org.


Who Is She?


Most parents of a four-year-old know a good deal about their child—everything from favorite colors and television characters to deep-seated fears and hopes for the future. Yet I know none of these things about my four-year-old. She is our family’s mystery.


When JJ was

smiling woman with short, wavy brown hair

The Unknown Writing Contest Winner

By Molly Hopkins
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Mar 17, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Molly Hopkins has won our short story writing contest on the theme of The Unknown with her piece "Kerplunk." 


Molly Hopkins is a feisty individual, who lives out adventures in her mind as there is little she can do with her body. Driven to writing due to a severe chronic illness, Molly finds purpose, intrigue, and joy in the world of her imagination and the art of storytelling. For more of her work, visit www.goldinthegray.com.


Kerplunk


I hear a warble, which isn’t too strange. I sometimes hear blurry noises when they are loud

Picture of B.J. Hollars' book cover for Go West, Young Man. Image of car driving over a globe.

Go West, Young Man

By B.J. Hollars
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Hannah Jane W.
Mar 14, 2022

When I began Go West, Young Man, I was initially most excited to learn more about the Oregon Trail.  However, as I continued to read about B.J. Hollars’ road trip to retrace the Oregon Trail with his six-year-old son, Henry, I found myself enjoying their journey just as much as the history of the Oregon Trail.  Maybe even more!  Though they had a strong connection prior to their journey, B.J. and Henry’s relationship flourishes, and it’s a joy to watch them make memories together. 


Go West, Young Man is the quiet kind of adventure book I most enjoy with lots of humor, interesting stories

Annie Newcomer.

The Unknown Writing Contest Winner

By Annie Newcomer
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Feb 22, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Annie Newcomer has won our poetry writing contest on the theme of The Unknown with her piece "The Broken Plate: a Still Life." 


When we pause and wonder, I feel that we make better decisions for our world. It is easy to believe that the beauty of nature is invincible. But I believe it is tender and needs our care and not to be taken for granted. My nephew in Brooklyn, NYC created a beautiful collection of plates for my husband and self. Each is different and each is a work of art. When he gifted them to me, he was so excited to share that

Strawberry blonde woman in a sage green sweater seated in front of a piano between a toy rocket ship and art deco vace

The Unknown Writing Contest Winner

By Marcia Hurlow
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Feb 15, 2022

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Marcia Hurlow has won our poetry writing contest on the theme of The Unknown with her piece "Lost on Callisto." 


Marcia L. Hurlow is the author of one full-length poetry collection, Anomie (winner of the Edges prize, WordTech Press) and five chapbooks. Her individual poems have appeared in Poetry, Chicago Review, Poetry Northwest, Nimrod, Poetry East, Main Street Rag, Poetry South, River Styx and The Beloit Journal, among others. She is a two-time winner of the Al Smith Fellowship for Poetry, and co-editor of Kansas City Voices.


LOST

Dark haired man with a beard and mustache in a grey Truman Bulldogs longsleeved shirt in the woods

The Fools Journey Writing Contest Winner

By Dan Wikiera
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Dec 17, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Dan Wikiera has won our Essay writing contest on the theme of The Fools Journey with his piece "I Am the Fool." 


Lifelong Kansas City resident. Lifelong reader. Lifelong writer. This is my first foray into public writing.


It started as a whisper. A vague notion. A desire to open my own business, be my own boss. Create something from nothing. The American ideal, like white picket fences and apple pie. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know what. Or that I didn’t have any experience. I had the desire, the work ethic. I was naïve.


I

Blond Woman in glasses and pendant necklace

The Fools Journey Writing Contest Winner

By Diana Richards
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Nov 19, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Diana Richards has won our short story writing contest on the theme of The fools Journey with her piece "Cactus." 


I can't add to the millions of statements from would-be writers as to why I write, and my biography isn't all that unique either: retired, like to write, writing is hard, love the library.


Cactus


Perhaps it was a dream, she thought. Perhaps if she pinched herself, she would wake up. But she didn’t want to wake up. She wanted to stay in this dream world, where people said “Excuse me”, and “I’m sorry”, and “How are you”

red haired woman in green sweater with a black and white dog

Tails and Tales Writing Contest Winner

By Marcia Hurlow
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Oct 13, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Marcia Hurlow has won our open category writing contest on the theme of Tails and Tales with her piece "Olfaction." 


Marcia L. Hurlow's first full-length collection of poetry, Anomie, won the Edges Prize. She also has five chapbooks. More than 400 of her individual poems have appeared in literary magazines, including Poetry, Chicago Review, River Styx, Poetry East, Nimrod, Poetry Northwest, Stand, Cold Mountain, Zone 3 and The Journal, among others. She is co-editor of Kansas City Voices.


Olfaction


I walk behind Lucky as he leaps

Blond woman in a red checkered shirt with a tan cowboy hat

Tails and Tales Writing Contest Winner

By Lauren Loya
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Sep 13, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Lauren Loya has won our essay writing contest on the theme of Tails and Tales with her piece "Call Me Cuttlefish." 


Lauren Loya is a graduate of the Literature, Language, and Writing program at the University of Kansas. Her work has been featured in Coal City Review. A Kansas City native, her favorite local haunts include the Green Lady Lounge, Stroud’s, Antioch Park, and many of the shops and eateries along 39th Street West.


You can read more of her work at https://draculauren.wordpress.com/.


Call Me Cuttlefish


She pressed the

Photo of Nadine Shookman

Bodies Writing Contest Winner

By Nadine Shookman
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Jack V.
May 17, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Nadine Shookman has won our open writing contest on the theme of Bodies with her piece "Oma." 


Born in Germany, Nadine Shookman lives in Overland Park with her husband Jesse and a goldendoodle named Oatmeal. She works as a catastrophe modeler and spends her free time writing, drawing, and volunteering in the community.


Oma


I remember brushing my fingertips along the inside of my great-grandmother’s wrist, struck by how different her skin felt from mine. I was around eight years old, she in her eighties. I called her “Oma,” the

Photo of Kaylin Salmen

Bodies Writing Contest Winner

By Kaylin Salmen
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Jack V.
May 14, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Kaylin Salmen has won our open writing contest on the theme of Bodies with her piece "Self-worth." 


Kaylin is a college senior at Kansas State University studying food science. She enjoys being outside, playing dungeons and dragons with friends, and art.


Self-worth


She remarks on the scars on my body

As if they were dents left in discarded

College apartment furniture,


But these marks

can be interpreted like runes

on cuneiform tablets.


These marks are not a curse,

But a prayer.

I know because I put them there,

Along

Photo of Dr. Virginia Brackett

Bodies Writing Contest Winner

By Virginia Brackett
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Jack V.
Feb 6, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Dr. Virginia Brackett has won our poetry writing contest on the theme of Bodies with her piece "Side Effects.”


Virginia Brackett’s 16 books have been cited by the New York Public Library; the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association; Tristate Books of Note; the American Library Association, Amelia Bloomer Project; and Booklist (Editor’s Choice, Reference Sources, 2008). Her 2019 memoir, In the Company of Patriots (Sunbury Press), focuses on her father’s death in the Korean Conflict and its effect on her family. She contributed the essay

Photo of Karen Morales

Reflections on Race Contest Winner

By Karen Morales
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Jack V.
Jan 30, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Karen Morales has won our open writing contest on the theme of Reflections on Race with her piece "Beyond Instagram Graphics.”


Karen Morales is a high school student who is passionate about journalism.


Beyond Instagram Graphics


I am a 17-year-old Guatemalan born and raised in Kansas. One could argue that I don’t look like the typical Guatemalan or Latina. My skin color is lighter compared to the rest of my family and my green-blue eyes stand out next to my parents’ brown eyes. I have been mistaken as White multiple times at

Photo of David Garrison

Reflections on Race Contest Winner

By David Garrison
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Jack V.
Jan 23, 2021

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that David Garrison has won our open contest on the theme of Reflections on Race with his piece "Nine Minutes."


The poetry of David Lee Garrison has appeared widely in journals and anthologies, and two poems from his book Sweeping the Cemetery were read by Garrison Keillor on his radio show, The Writer’s Almanac. The title poem from his Playing Bach in the DC Metro was featured by Poet Laureate Ted Kooser on his website, American Life in Poetry, and read on the BBC in London. His most recent book is Light in the River (Dos Madres Press).

Photo of Jacob Kittilstad

Reflections on Race Writing Contest Winner

By Jacob Kittilstad
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Jack V.
Dec 8, 2020

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Jacob Kittilstad has won our short story contest on the theme of Reflections on Race with his piece "Milkshake."


Jacob Kittilstad has worked as a reporter in the North, the South, and the Midwest.


Milkshake


I drink a milkshake on my way home. It is the only thing I have eaten all day. The film drags down the back of my throat. I grunt to clear it on my way home.


I am not going home. I am going back to work. I tell myself that I am going home because it makes me happy. It makes me happier than saying I am going back to work.


I am

Photo of Marcia Hurlow

Reflections on Race Writing Contest Winner

By Marcia Hurlow
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Jack V.
Oct 27, 2020

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Marcia Hurlow has won our poetry writing contest on the theme of Reflections on Race with her piece "DECONSTRUCTION.”


Marcia L. Hurlow's first full-length collection of poetry, Anomie, won the Edges Prize. She also has five chapbooks. More than 300 of her individual poems have appeared in literary magazines, including Poetry, Chicago Review, River Styx, Nimrod, Poetry Northwest, Stand, Cold Mountain, Zone 3 and The Journal, among others. Last year she received the Al Smith Fellowship for Poetry for the second time, and this year she will

Sep 23, 2020

“When did you realize poetry could be your companion? Your release?” 


In this episode of the Johnson County Library podcast Did You Hear, Dr. Randall Horton and Anishinaabekwe poet Louise K. Waakaa’igan discuss poetry both as a lifeline and as a discipline.  It’s a discussion between two people who share a gift for and love of poetry; but it’s also a discussion between two people who share a common language that only those who have been “inside” can fully understand.  


An unrelenting advocate for personal voice and perfect line breaks, Dr. Horton is equally passionate about eradicating

Man with dark hair, mustache, and beard in a blue suit with a red tie standing next to an american flag

Imagine Your Story Writing Contest Winner 2020

By Nick Lopez
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Aug 6, 2020

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Nick Lopez has won our essay contest on the theme of Imagine Your Story with "I am a Coconut".


Nick Lopez is a Marine Corps veteran, who served from 2005-20013, and is currently a coordinator for veteran programs at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Headquarters in Kansas City, MO. He volunteers on the board of the Kansas City Veterans Writing Team, who sponsor and hold biannual writing workshops for veterans and their family members of. Nick has been published in "Veteran's Voices" and "Haiku Journal", and most recently his painting

Imagine Your Story Writing Contest Winner

By John Adams
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Jul 12, 2020

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that John Adams has won our short story contest on the theme of Imagine Your Story with "Something in His "i"s".


John Adams (he/him/his) writes about teenage detectives, pelican-people, robo-butlers, and cursed cowboys. His publication history includes Australian Writers’ Centre, Bowery Gothic, Briefly Write, Dream of Shadows, Fat Cat Magazine, SERIAL Magazine, Siren’s Call, Trembling With Fear, Triangle Writers, and Weird Christmas (forthcoming: Paper Butterfly, peculiar, The Weird and Whatnot). His plays have been produced by Alphabet Soup

Imagine Your Story Writing Contest Winner

By Virginia Brackett
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Jun 4, 2020

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Virginia Brackett has won our poetry contest on the theme of Imagine Your Story with "Six".


Virginia Brackett’s 16 books have been cited by the New York Public Library; the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association; Tristate Books of Note; the American Library Association, Amelia Bloomer Project; and Booklist (Editor’s Choice, Reference Sources, 2008). She has published many articles, stories, and blog entries for readers of all ages and her short story “Mrs. Cross” won in the fall 2018 Johnson County Library creative writing