2009 Sue Alexander Awards Announced -
Monday, October 19, 2009
Selected from manuscripts submitted for individual critique at the SCBWI Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles, the Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award is given to the manuscript deemed most promising for publication. Industry professionals who critique the manuscripts at the Los Angeles conference determine the finalists.
Until her sudden death in July 2008, Sue Alexander made the final selection. Now, a three-member panel from Sue's writing group of 20 years makes a final selection after the conference.
The winner receives an expense-paid trip to New York to meet with interested editors. Only manuscripts submitted for conference manuscript critiques by full-time conference attendees are eligible; see deadline and submission guidelines in the conference brochure or online, to be made available in mid-May. There is no prior application process for this award.
2009 Winner
Sharon Cameron for her manuscript Stranwyne Keep.
Here’s what our judges had to say:
"Stranwyne Keep has strong, compelling writing and an air of mystery grip the reader from page one of this fascinating manuscript. The historical setting is vivid and finely detailed, the well-conceived plot is filled with intrigue, foreboding and unexpected twists, and the sympathetic main character is at once resilient and vulnerable."
2009 Honorable Mentions
2009 Nominees included:
· Jazz Kitty by C.H. Brown (eliminated extra space after C.)
· George Washington’s Hercules by Glenda Armand
· Mughda the Dressmaker by Jennifer Wagh
· Paradise Paved by Becky Hawkins
· Tall Tale Ray: Voice of Appalachia by Shannon Hitchcock
· 16 Miles Per Hour by Kristi Olson
· Salamander and the Lounge Lizards by Dan Blackley
· Silk and Cedar by Laura Pegram
· The Window Shoppe by Rita Crayon Huang
· Penelope and the Great Moodler by Paige E. Britt
· Last Dance by Sandi Greene
· Golden by Rachel Marks