Write Stuff

Congratulations to the winners of our second annual Writing Contest.

It was standing room only at our reception yesterday (Sunday May 16) where writers could read bits of their winning pieces. How fun to hear from the creative minds of Missoula and beyond!

A couple fun tidbits about their year's contest: 96 entries were submitted in time for our deadline (20 percent more than last year), with pieces coming from as far away as New Jersey & Nebraska. Winners hailed from Missoula, Florence, Huson, Victor, Helena, & Lolo.

Special thanks to our judges, and program sponsors Altrusa International, Inc. of Missoula; Missoula Kiwanis; and PEO Chapter BQ.

We'll be compiling entries into 2 bound volumes - one for our Montana Collection and the other for checkout, so watch our catalog for the chance to read some fabulous original writing. Plus, stop by the Montana Room and read last year's entries now.

A crowd attended Sunday's reception, ready to hear some great writing from our winners.

Laura Vonnessen (first place, fiction, ages 15-18) was among the winners who read their pieces.

Certificates were given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in each category.

Writers shared their work

The library hosted our first-ever Writer's Open Mic event last night. November was National Novel Writing Month and, since Missoula has so many amazing creative writers, we too the opportunity to celebrate with an open mic night. Any Missoula writer could come and read their masterpiece to the crowd - and we heard some impressive writing. Here are a couple pictures from last night:

There are more photos on our Flickr page.

What's your story? The library wants to know. If you're a writer - of fiction or non-fiction, any age - get writing now so you're ready for our Writing Contest this winter. We'll have submission details by February. In the meantime, you should stop by and read our published volume of last year's entries, which we now have available in the Montana collection.

How do you find the motivation to write? Are there any exercises that inspire you? Share with us by posting a comment today!

Writer's Contest Reception

We had an occasion to break out the punch and cookies today at the library as we held a reception for our first ever Writing Contest! We had a full house of writers, judges and family members.


We announced the winners and read excerpts of all the first place stories. Daniel Johnston and Louise McMillin bravely stepped forward and read their own pieces, and our staff read the rest.

Louise ended the festivities by encouraging the young writers in the audience to keep writing, a fitting end to a fantastic Sunday celebrating writing.

Stay tuned to this blog to read the first place entries and check out our Flickr page for pictures of all the award recipients.

MPL Writing Contest

(Original photo by Flickr user: the trial. Some Rights Reserved)

The deadline for our first annual writing contest is fast approaching! Entries will be due on March 15th. Official rules and entry form are located here.

And if you're really motivated, you can also submit your entry to the Coeur d'Alene Public Library, who served as our mentor in setting up our rules and contest.

Good Luck!