Five years.
We have now held the Mormon Lit Blitz contest for five years. And we’re pleased to report that Mormon literature is alive and well. Over the past five years we’ve published 60 pieces in the Mormon Lit Blitz contests and 17 pieces in our other contests. Each year, we’ve had the opportunity to share new poems, new essays, and new stories that engage with the fundamental question of what it means to be a Mormon.
It was a tight race this year, with the top four places in question throughout the entire week of voting. And now, readers’ four favorite pieces for the 2016 Mormon Lit Blitz:
Fourth Place: “Foolish and Wise” by Lisa Barker
Third Place: “Rumors of Wars” by Zachary Lunn
Second Place: “Fresh Courage Take” by Bradeigh Godfrey
and our Grand Prize Winner, who will also receive a $100 cash prize:
First Place: “The Back Row” by Kelli Swofford Nielsen
Thank you again for submitting, for reading, and for voting. This contest would not be possible without each of you. And now, for a few announcements about future contests, our email list, and a Mormon literature group in Provo.
Mormon Literature Group in Provo: June 21st at 7:00 p.m. at Pioneer Book
There is a monthly Mormon literature discussion group which meets in Provo. For June they are discussing the 2016 Mormon Lit Blitz, and have invited this year’s finalists and semifinalists to read their pieces. Many of the finalists who do not live in Utah will be joining through digital means.
The event is open to the public, so if you are in the Provo area, feel free to visit Pioneer Book on June 21st at 7 p.m. (If you have any questions, email everydaymormonwriter@gmail.com and we will forward your email to the discussion group organizer.)
Future Contests
We will not be holding a Fall contest this year, but we will be holding the 6th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz contest early in 2017.
If you’d like to be one of the first to know about next year’s Mormon Lit Blitz and other contests, please sign up for our email list.
Great contest. Congratulations to the pieces who received the top votes, and to the real winners of the contest–those of us who got to read the twelve finalists!
Congratulations to the winners! And thanks to the MoLit Blitz crew who put it together. Great job, all! :)