The 2012 LAURA Awards

Left to right: Sheila MacAvoy, Leslee Breene, Liz Duckworth, and Karen Stevenson.
Not pictured: Anne Schroeder.

At the 18th Women Writing the West conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we celebrated the LAURA Short Fiction Awards. Susan J. Tweit was the speaker for the evening, and gave a beautiful speech encouraging us all to write from the heart. We also had several ladies say a few words in honor of members who have passed away this year.

After the meal we announced the placement of the LAURA Short Fiction Awards. This was the fourth year we have had the contest. All entries must be fiction, set in the west, less than 5,000 words with a female main character. Only members of Women Writing the West can enter the contest.

We had two Honorable Mention placements:
"Todas Las Madres" by Karen Stevenson
"Elvira" by Liz Duckworth

Third place LAURA Short Fiction Award went to:
"At the Thirty-Fourth Latitude" by Sheila MacAvoy

Second place LAURA Award is for:
"Pueblo Dancer" by Leslee Breene

First place was awarded to:
"Grub Line Rider" by Anne Schroeder.

Thank you and congratulations to all our winning ladies.

Thank you to our screeners, and to the LAURA Committee, which consists of the President, the Past President, and the President Elect. Your hard work is much appreciated.


Erin S. Gray
2012 Women Writing the West President Elect