Kingston Jamaica: The top writers in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Jamaica Creative Writing Competition were awarded recently in a ceremony at the Knutsford Court Hotel. The annual awards ceremony saw over 70 outstanding amateurs and professional Jamaican writers who entered their creative works in the categories: Plays, Poetry, , Novels,Short Story and Essays being awarded with cash prizes, certificates of merit, medals and trophies.
Outstanding writers include : Gloria Malcolm Foster, who was named the Best Overall Writer, while 2nd place went to Joan Francis who was also named Outstanding Writer. The third place and Special Writer award was copped by Rohan Facey and 4th place and Choice Writer award given to Malachi Dermot Smith. Noteworthy Writer, Danielle Willie was awarded 5th place.
Other high achievers was awarded on the 15 of August at the awards ceremony, this include: Best Intermediate Playwright – Fitsroy Randall, Best Adult Playwright – Michelle Ashwood, Best Intermediate Essayist – Jeffery Johnson, Best Adult Essayist – Joan Francis, Best Junior Short Story Writer and Best Intermediate Short Story Writer – Latoya Wakefield, Best Adult Short Story Writer – Lesley-Ann Wanliss, Best Intermediate Novelist – Robert McCarthy, Best Adult Novelist – Hugh Martin, Best Junior Poet – Marie A. Cameron Francis, Best Intermediate Poet – Gloria Malcolm Foster and Best Adult Poet – Malachi Dermot Smith.
“Each year the Jamaica Creative Writing Competition and Exhibition’s Award Ceremony celebrate the best that the ever-expanding Jamaican literary fraternity has to offer.” Said Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the JCDC, Stephen Davidson.
“These outstanding amateur and professional writers pour their souls into their creative works, and the JCDC stands committed to honoring that effort by unearthing, developing showcasing and preserving their noteworthy works.” He continued.
Organised by the JCDC, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Jamaica Creative Writing Competition has been one of the best channels of providing writers with the opportunity of recognizing and validating their writing talent, while showcasing and promoting writers and their original work.
The award-winning pieces of the 2017 Jamaica Creative Writing Competition are currently being showcased in the competition’s annual island-wide tour which will end in April 2018 and cover all 14 parishes of Jamaica. The winning pieces will be held in the major parish libraries to give members of the public the opportunity to appreciate and recognize the award-winning works. The pieces are also featured online at the JCDC’s website, www.jcdc.gov.jm