Cascade Christian Writing Contest

Previous Cascade Writing Contest Winners

2022 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Unpublished Contemporary Fiction Book

The Knightly Stalker — Annette Griffin

Unpublished Historical Fiction Book

Finding Ten Feathers — Robert J. Pauls

Unpublished Speculative Fiction Book

The Ultimate Escape — Kimberly Solis

Unpublished Nonfiction or Memoir Book

I’m the Brave Girl? — Marlys Johnson Lawry

Unpublished Young Adult Book, Fiction and Nonfiction

Red Rock — Annika Klanderud

Unpublished Middle Grade Book, Fiction and Nonfiction

Liberty Loser: For the Win — Annette Griffin

Unpublished Children’s Picture or Chapter Book, Fiction and Nonfiction

King of the Cabbages — Helen Heavirland

Unpublished Poetry

“What Stayed the Hand of Ancient Strength?” — R.A. Roberts

Unpublished Devotional

“Getting Back on Track Knowing God Provides” — Merry Broughal

Unpublished Article, Column, Nonfiction Short Story

“Fabulous Fabio” — Midge Shaw

Unpublished Fiction Short Story (including Flash Fiction)

“Behind the Blue Swing” — Megan Soja

PUBLISHED

Published Contemporary Fiction Book

Still the One — Rachel D. Russell

Published Historical Fiction Book

The Mulberry Leaf Whispers — Linda Thompson

Published Speculative Fiction Book

Kingdom Lost — Dawn Shipman

Published Nonfiction or Memoir Book

Faith Unhindered: Finding the Freedom to Trust God Completely — Debbie Ashley

Published Middle Grade Book, Fiction and Nonfiction

Abbie’s Woods: Defending the Nest — Susan Thogerson Maas

Published Children’s Picture or Chapter Book, Fiction and Nonfiction

What Is a Family? — Annette Griffin

Published Poetry

“Invitation” — Julie Kepler

Published Devotional

“I’ll Watch for You” — Kathleen R. Ruckman

Published Article, Column, Blog Post, Nonfiction Short Story

“I Hear Him” — Cheryl Schuermann

 

2021 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

View Ceremony on Youtube

UNPUBLISHED

Unpublished Contemporary Fiction Book
Rebekah Millet Game, Set, Matched

Unpublished Historical Fiction Book
Savanna Kaiser Son of the Shepherd

Unpublished Speculative Fiction Book
Pamela Thorson Blood Falls

Unpublished Nonfiction Book
Gilbert Gleason
Love So Amazing: The Missionary Biography of Bert and Colleen Elliot

Unpublished Memoir
Lisa Baldwin She’s Still in There—Healing the Wounded Child Within

Unpublished Young Adult Book
Dawn Shipman To Soar on Jeweled Wings

Unpublished Middle Grade Book
Rachel Lulich The Red Door

Unpublished Children’s Chapter or Picture Book
Megan Soja Before the Light

Unpublished Poetry
Midge Shaw “Faithfulness in a Foreign Land”

Unpublished Devotional
Krista Lynn Campbell “Let’s Get Loud”

Unpublished Article or Column
Rinda LeSage “Bringing Hope to Women in Abusive Marriages”

Unpublished Nonfiction Short Story
Mary Curcio “How God Reveals a Murder to a Little Girl”

Unpublished Short Story/Flash Fiction
Becca Kinzer “A Jane Austen Affair to Remember”

PUBLISHED

Published Poetry
Julie Kepler “Marrow”

Published Devotional
Elena Dee “Take Off the Label”

Published Article, Column, or Blog Post
Kristen Joy Wilks “The Silent Summer”

Published Nonfiction Short Story
Harriet E. Michael “The Perfect Wait”

Published Short Story/Flash Fiction
Jeri Stockdale “Barrel Racing, Big Dreams and a Boyfriend to Boot”

2020 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • Rise on Eagle’s Wings by Lois Kennis

Historical Fiction Book

  • The Redemption Kid by Robert Pauls

Speculative Fiction Book

  • Healer’s Quest by Sarah Sawyer

Nonfiction Book

  • Redesign Your Home Life by Rebecca Stuhlmiller

Memoir Book

  • Running on Broken Legs by Elinor Young

Young Adult Book

  • Turning Toward Eden by Cate Touryan

Middle Grade Book

  • Helium Pancakes by Melinda Poling

Children’s Chapter or Picture Book

  • The Big Book of Belief by Tina Gollings

Poetry

  • “Whatever It Takes” by Peg Willis

Devotional

  • “God Sees” by Stacey Womack

Article/Column—TIED

  • “A Complicated Grief” by Sheena Heinrichs
  • “Two Amazing Prayers” by Shirley Mozena

Nonfiction Short Story

  • “Hiding from My Mother-in-Law” by Krista Lynn Campbell

Short Story or Flash Fiction

  • “Running on Water” by Bryan Ruby

PUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • One Woman Falling by Melanie Campbell

Historical Fiction Book

  • Wings Like a Dove by Camille Eide

Speculative Fiction Book

  • The Ascension by Richard Spillman

Nonfiction Book

  • The View from Rock Bottom by Stephanie Tait

Memoir Book

  • Curtain Call: A Memoir by Lyneta Smith  

Young Adult or Middle Grade Book

  • Floxx by Kathleen King

Children’s Chapter or Picture Book

  • Good Night, Fireflies by Janet Christensen

Poetry

  • “The Voice Which Gives Me Life” by Jennifer Fry

Devotional

  • “The Candy Bar” by Marty Magee

Article, Column, or Blog Post

  • “The Goodness of the Wrath of God” by Sarah Sanderson

Nonfiction Short Story

  • “A Christmas Tradition to Treasure” by Helen Heavirland

2019 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Articles, Columns, and Nonfiction Stories

  • Carole Winegarden “The Heart of the Home”

Children’s Chapter and Picture Book

  • Cheryl Secomb      Mole and Duck: The Case of the Missing Glasses

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • Katie Powner        Where the Green Grass Grows

Devotional

  • Sherry Chidwick “My Blackberry Problem”

Flash Fiction and Short Stories

  • Alexandra Claus      “Illumination”

Historical Fiction Book

  • Kendy Pearson      Voice of Thunder

Memoir Book

  • Sandra Frykholm     The Drive in ’65

Middle Grade Book

  • Dana Black               Compass of Time

Nonfiction Book

  • Kit Tosello        Goodbye, Hello, Hallelujah: Celebrating the Tears, Transitions, and Treasures of the Changing Nest

Poetry

  • Dwayne Wells       “Elegy for Betty Jo”

Speculative Fiction Book

  • Pat Schantz            Konnor the Collector

Young Adult Book

  • Kimberly Ellis        Awaken the Dawn

PUBLISHED

Articles, Blog Posts, Columns, and Nonfiction Stories

  • Helen Heavirland     “Forget Not”

Children’s Chapter and Picture Book

  • Deb Gruelle              Ten Little Night Stars

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • Christina Nelson     Swimming in the Deep End

Devotional

  • Jane Reid                   “Hidden from View”

Flash Fiction and Short Stories

  • Anna Zogg              “Proximity”

Historical Fiction Book

  • Linda Thompson     The Plum Blooms in Winter

Memoir Book

  • Jason Hague               Aching Joy: Following God through the Land of Unanswered Prayer

Nonfiction Book

  • Rick & Tiffany Bulman Mended: One Couple’s Journey from Betrayal to Imperfect Beauty

Poetry

  • Kathleen Bufford    “It Is Time for Walking”

Speculative Fiction Book

  • Richard Spillman      The Awakened

Young Adult/Middle Grade Book

  • Deborah Watley      Summer Ruins (The Field Notes of Gwen Bell, #1)

2018 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Children’s Picture/Chapter Book

  • Jennifer Bingham, Nothing Changes Everything: A Simple Retelling of the Truth

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • Michelle Aleckson, Riptide

Historical Fiction Book

  • Tanya Eavenson, The Rescue

Memoir Book

  • Jessica Domagala, Abstract Love

Middle Grade Book

  • J.D. Rempel, Melanie on the Move

Nonfiction Book

  • Marlys Johnson, Inconvenient Love

Speculative Fiction Book

  • Christina Gollings, Citlali Means Star

Young Adult Book

  • Cheryl Bostrom, Climb, Run, Drown

Articles, Columns, and Blog Posts

  • Marissa Hunter, “Cutting the Cord”

Devotional

  • Donna Hues, “A Wee Lesson in Grace”

Poetry

  • Rebecca Johnson, “The Horse of Death”

Short Story/Flash Fiction

  • Robert Gilbert, “Elysia’s Doll”

PUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • Kristen Joy Wilks, Athens Ambuscade

Historical Fiction Book

  • Anna Zogg, The Marshal’s Mission

Memoir Book

  • Carolyn Wade, Five Hundred Letters

Nonfiction Book

  • Lynn Hare, The Quest for Self-Forgiveness: Discovering the Secret of Guilt-Free Living

Speculative Fiction Book

  • Jill Williamson, King’s Blood

Young Adult Book

  • Sally Apokedak, The Button Girl

Articles, Columns, and Blog Posts

  • Dorcas Smucker, “What We Truly Believe Will Show”

Devotional

  • Bethany Hayes, “The Great Exchange”

Poetry

  • Kristen Wilks, “Praying for Bugs”

Short Story/Flash Fiction

  • Jennifer Anne F. Messing, “Labor Day Delight”

2017 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Children’s Book

  • The Stolen Lunch by Kristen Joy Wilks

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • The Girl in the Cardboard Box by Jane Daly

Historical Fiction Book

  • Kanawha Tears by Kendy Pearson

Memoir Book

  • My Name Is Beloved by Linda Kruschke 

Nonfiction Book

  • No Expectations by Kimberly Solis

Speculative Fiction Book—TIED

  • Lost Stones of Argonia by Dawn Shipman
  • Unarmed by Katie Powner

Young Adult/Middle Grade Book

  • Loser Girl Extraordinaire by Xochitl Dixon

Article or Blog Post

  • “Discovering Uncommon Praise” by John Wozniak

Devotional

  • “A New Thing” by Lee Ann Zanon

Poetry

  • “Call” by Patti Lee

Short Story

  • “Her Time to Fly” by Kasey Hesher

PUBLISHED

Children’s Book

  • Would a Worm Go on a Walk? by Hannah Hall

Contemporary Book

  • The Morning Star Rises by Sara Davison

Historical Fiction Book

  • While I Count the Stars by Valerie Banfield

Memoir Book

  • Lessons from a Son’s Life . . . and Death by Merrit Hearing

Nonfiction Book

  • The Caregiving Season by Jane Daly

Speculative Fiction Book

  • The Flaming Sword by Heather FitzGerald

Young Adult/Middle Grade Book

  • Love, Lexi: Letters to God by Sherry Kyle

Articles

  • “Jonah’s Biggest Fear” by Kristen Joy Wilks

Devotional

  • “Father’s Delight” by Jane Reid

Poetry

  • “Wings of the Morning” by Kathleen Ruckman

Short Story/Flash Fiction

  • “Oscar the Matchmaker” by Sharon James

2016 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • Broken by Jane Daly

Historical Fiction Book

  • Children of the Revolution by Kathleen Freeman

Children’s Book

  • How to Make Your Teacher Faint by Barbara McCourtney

Memoir Book

  • Learning to Die in Saudi Arabia by Betts Baker

Nonfiction Book

  • The Shadow of Doubt by Shari Carroll

Speculative Fiction Book

  • Tranquility by Christa Conklin

Young Adult/Middle Grade Book

  • Great Date Experiment by Ashley Mays

Article

  • “An Angel on Earth” by Tammy Ferguson

Devotional                                                                                                                

  • “What Am I Saying?” by Lisa Cullett

Flash Fiction/Short Stories

  • “To Fly” by Rebecca Olmstead

Poetry

  • “Eternal Word” by Laura Davis

PUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • Saving Eric by Joan Deneve

Historical Fiction Book

  • The Memoir of Johnny Devine by Camille Eide

Memoir Book

  • My God Is Bigger by Helen Heavirland

Nonfiction Book—TIED

  • Garage Sale of the Mind by Jim Hills
  • The Name Quest by John Avery

Children’s Book

  • I’d Punch a Lion in the Eye by Ben Wolf

Young Adult/Middle Grade Book

  • When Sparrows Fall by Diana Blackstone-Helt

Devotional Book

  • I Have Called You Friends by Shirley Dechaine

Article, Column, Blog Post

  • “When You’re Tempted to Despair” by Kit Tosello

Devotional

  • “Becoming One” by Jane Reid

Flash Fiction or Short Story

  • “The Girl with the Ink” by Lindsay Franklin

Poetry

  • “Grand Heart” by Gayle Carlson

2015 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction

  • Twining Vines by Rebecca Cuadra George

Historical Fiction

  • Nom De Plume by Joanna Davidson Politano

Children’s

  • I’ll Tuck You in Mama by Kim Conolly

Memoir

  • Intimacy with God: One Man’s Journey by Rob Oberto

Nonfiction

  • The Gift of Social Anxiety by Julie Rajnus

Speculative Fiction

  • Rebirth by Amy McNew aka Amy Brock McNew (pen name)

Young Adult/Middle Grade

  • Caught in Flames by Sarah Tipton

Article

  • “Surprised by Squash” by Abigail Schreiner

Devotional

  • “Into His Presence” by Shari Carroll

Flash Fiction/Short Stories

  • “The Judge” by Rachel Baugh

Poetry

  • “Smooth Stones” by Jane Reid

PUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • All My Belongings by Cynthia Ruchti

Historical Fiction Book

  • Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo

Memoir

  • Surviving Henry: Adventures in Loving a Canine Catastrophe by Erin Taylor Young

Nonfiction Book

  • Persevering Parent: Finding Strength to Raise Your Child with Social, Emotional or Behavioral Challenges by Karen Crum

Children’s Book

  • Little Beth of the Forest by Cheri Turk

Young Adult/Middle Grade Book

  • The Snowball Fight Professional by Angela Ruth Strong

 Article, Column, Blog Post

  • “Persevere and Find Your Gifts” by Lynn Hare

 Devotional

  • “The Gift” by Heidi Gaul

 Flash Fiction or Short Story

  • “Lost and Found” by Roberta Hegland

 Poetry

  • “Sojourners” by Lynn Hare

2014 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction—TIED

  • Promises Embraced by Nora Peacock
  • Walking Between the Stones by Pamela Trawick

Historical Fiction–TIED

  • The Secret of Clara Rose by Barbara Tifft Blakey
  • Reinventing Mattie by Nicole Miller

 Speculative Fiction Book

  • Galilee Graves by B.D. MacCullough

Memoir

  • Watch God Work by Rebecca Olmstead

Nonfiction Book

  • Does This Diet Make My Rump Look Fat? by Barbara R. McCourtney

Young Adult/Middle Grade Book

  • Love Always, Lola by Ashley Mays

 Children’s Book

  • Flibberty Jibbet and the Journey by Kendy Pearson

 Article, Column, Short Story

  • “A Grain of Corn” by Lidia Hu

Devotional

  • “In the Dark and Loving It” by Penelope Kaye

Poetry

  • “Trapunto” by Jeanette-Marie Mirich

PUBLISHED

Contemporary Fiction

  • On the Threshold by Sherrie Ashcraft and Christina Tarabochia

Historical Fiction

  • Mistaken by Karen Barnett

Memoir

  • Iron Heart: A Story of Perseverance after Polio by Delilah Moore Leach

Nonfiction

  • Walking Sticks by Joyce Wilkens

Young Adult/Middle Grade

  • Menehunes Missing by Cheryl Linn Martin

 Children’s

  • Egg-Song by Joy V. Mazeikas

Article, Column, Short Story or Blog Post

  • “A Treasure Hidden No Longer” by Nora Peacock

Devotional

  • “Footprints on the Ceiling” by John Avery

Poetry

  • “The Early Morning Hour “by Laura Bradford

2013 Cascade Writing Contest Winners

UNPUBLISHED

Fiction

  • Jennifer Leo, Thoroughly Modest Marjorie

Nonfiction/Memoir

  • Velynn Brown, Gospel Song in the Rain

Young Adult

  • Kim Vandel, Into the Fire

Children’s –TIED

  • Danika Cooley, Sola Scriptura
  • Cheryl Secomb, Snails Don’t Dance

Poetry

  • Jodi Rucker, “An Outdoor Recital”

Poetry/Gift Book

  • Helen Heavirland“Gospel According to Fido”

Short Entries: Articles

  • Don White, “Open the Gates”

PUBLISHED

Fiction

  • Sharon Bernash Smith, The Train Baby’s Mother

Nonfiction

  • Leila Rae Sommerfeld, Beyond Our Control

Young Adult

  • Jill WilliamsonThe New Recruit

Children’s

  • Laura Lee ScottThe Santa Switch

Poetry/Gift Book

  • Anita Higman, “Where God Finds You”

Short Entry: Article, Story, Blog Post

  • Kathleen Ruckman, “A Royal Inheritance”