Dayton Daily News/Antioch Writers' Workshop Contest

In 1996, the Dayton Daily News began a unique tradition for a newspaper: an annual creative writing contest. The contest, created by Dayton Daily News writer and editor Ron Rollins (and past Antioch Writers' Workshop participant), grew out of Rollins' realization that the greater Dayton area is home to many writers and that the newspaper's Life section was the perfect place to showcase once a year the work of local writers.

Beginning in 2004, the Antioch Writers' Workshop offered a scholarship for registration/tuition to the Dayton Daily News "best in show" contest entry. After Rollins joined the workshop's board of trustees in 2009, both organizations realized that if the contest became a joint effort, in terms of administration and judging, more opportunities could be offered to contest winners. So, starting in 2010, the contest became the Dayton Daily News/Antioch Writers' Workshop creative writing competition.

The "best in show" winner receives publication in both the Dayton Daily News and on the Antioch Writers' Workshop website and a scholarship for full tuition and registration. First place winners in each Adult and Teen category receive publication and $125.00 scholarships to apply to the workshop; first place winners in each Youth category receive a gift certificate to Books & Company and publication. Second and Third place winners in all categories are published on the workshop website.

DDN/AWW 2010 Creative Writing Contest Best in Show

Adult Poetry

"Too many colors of snow"

by Amy Leigh

This is just to say
I left my glasses at your house
the other night

and somehow now the world
is bigger

The sunlight tickles my eyelids
open or closed

The field across the street shines
in too many colors of snow
in beamy smeary brightness

Headlights are stars that make my head ache

The sky is gooey fullness
birds and clouds and contrails blend

The front window is a prism
reversing rainbows
flushing amethyst rays

My skin floats closer than before

This is just to say
I left my glasses at your house
the other night

Hang on to them
for a while