Writing Contest 2025

Friends of Whitefish Bay Public Library Writing Contest 2025

Friends are once again offering Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library Writing Contest. This will be the 11th straight year for the contest, which includes submission categories for short story (1,000 words or less), memoir (1,000 words or less), and poetry (200 words or less). The contest is open to anyone 16 and up. Submissions will be accepted from January 13 - February 10 and are limited to one entry per category per person. Cash prizes will be awarded in spring. Please include a cover page on your entry with the following: Name, address, email, phone number, entry date, and category.

Email entries to reference@wfblibrary.org or drop off entries in person at the Adult Services Desk or mail them to:
Friends of the Whitefish Bay Library Writing Contest
5420 N Marlborough Drive
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217

A reception for the winners will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30PM. Winners will read their winning pieces at the event. All our welcome to attend.

Winners will also have their entries posted to the library’s website after the reception.

Friends of Whitefish Bay Public Library Writing Contest Winners 2025

Short Story
1st Place- Gary Armstrong
2nd Place- Kat Gal
3rd Place- Gabriella Echimof

Memoir
1st Place- Jon Kolb
2nd Place- Isaac Kang
3rd Place- Kat Gal

Poetry
1st Place- Jon Kolb
2nd Place- John Phillips
3rd Place- Thomas Murphy

Friends of Whitefish Bay Public Library Writing Contest Winners 2024

Short Story
1st Place- Lucy Bashara
2nd Place- Janet Arnold-Grych
3rd Place- Margo Renner

Memoir
1st Place- Jon Kolb
2nd Place- Kathleen H. Quirk
3rd Place- Janet Arnold-Grych

Poetry
1st Place- Dina Schachtely
2nd Place- Victoria Keenan
3rd Place- Jon Kolb

Friends of Whitefish Bay Public Library Writing Contest Winners 2023

Short Story
1st Place- Malin Morris
2nd Place- Jessica Dean
3rd Place- Gary Garcia

Memoir
1st Place- Carolyn Kott Washburne
2nd Place- Jessica Dean
3rd Place- Jon Kolb

Poetry
1st Place- Stephanie Hobbins
2nd Place- Kathleen Folkrod
3rd Place- Dina Schachtely

Friends of Whitefish Bay Public Library Writing Contest Winners 2022

Short Story
1st Place- Diane Morrow
2nd Place- Jon Kolb
3rd Place- Kat Gál

Memoir
1st Place- Christel Maass
2nd Place- Gretchen Seamons
3rd Place- Margo Renner

Poetry
1st Place- Jon Kolb
2nd Place- John Phillips
3rd Place- Dina Schachtely

Friends of Whitefish Bay Public Library Writing Contest Winners 2021

Short Story
1st Place- Dina Schachtely
2nd Place- Abby Jakowski
3rd Place- Mary Blasberg

Memoir
1st Place- Janet Arnold-Grych
2nd-Place tie - Margo Renner & Jon Kolb
3rd Place- Christine McBride

Poetry
1st Place- Margo Renner
2nd Place- Alyssa Gruenwald
3rd Place tie- Jon Kolb & Amy Scott