Community Happenings / East BoCo Library

Winners named in annual community writing contest

April 8, 2026

By Reader Staff

Sandpoint Writers on the Lake announced the winners of its annual writing contest, held March 14 and drawing scribes of all ages to the Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library.

Winners in the Adult I category were Sara Bell, first place, for “Two,” and second place went to Maire Lochard (“Billy-Jo Rescues Alistir”). Winners in the Adult II category were Ken Pilch, first place, for “The Gun Trick-Backfired,” and second place was Steve Johnson (“The Kerosene Jug”).

SWOL contest winners (front row, from left): Ryan Bell, Poppy Raphael; (back row, from left): Steve Johnson, Ken Pilch, Sara Bell, Maire Lochard, McKenzie Maus and Emily Otis. Far right is Bonnie McDade, president of Sandpoint Writers on the Lake. Photo by Tom Valentine

Winners in the Teen category were McKenzie Maus, 19, in first place for “Fae and Fire,” and Emily Otis, 16, earned second place for “Vengeance.” Ryan Bell, 12, won first place in the Youth category for “The Assassin,” and Poppy Raphael, 8, took second place for “Poppy and the Moose Family.”

First-place winners took home $50 and $25 was awarded for second place finishers, selected by audience members.

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Tags: bonie mcdade east Bonner County library Emily otis ken pilch maire lochard Mckenzie maus poppy raphael Ryan bell sandpoint branch of east Bonner County library sandpoint writers Sara bell short fiction steve johnson SWOL tom valentine writing competition writing contest