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Like to write? Besides providing submissions for SeniorLifestyle*, you might also want to check into Ageless Authors, "a writer's group to encourage, chamption, promote, publicize and support senior creativity. Ageless Authors conducts writing contests. Entry fees help provide the pot that is split among winners. In a recent email, the group highlights the winners of one contest and announces a new one, "Coping with Crisis," especially appropriate during this time of global pandemic.

Elderly writers and poets from across the country are being honored as prize winners in the 2020 international Ageless Authors Writing Contest.

Playwright and screenwriter Jean Yeager of Rutland, Vermont took first prize in the fiction prose category. Second prize was taken by Cathy Raphael of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Third prize was a three-way tie among university professor Alan Balter of Northbrook, Illinois, R.F. Marazas of Belvidere, New Jersey and journalist Donna Reed of Champaign, Illinois.

In nonfiction prose, retired literature professor Michael Riordan of Arlington, Texas took first prize. Second prize was a tie between military writer Robert Robeson of Lincoln, Nebraska and celebrated poet Diana Woodcock of Midlothian, Virginia. Third prize was also a tie between award-winning artist and writer BetteLou Tobin of Phoenix, Arizona and painter and writer Marguerite McDole of McKinney, Texas.

Gordon Smith, a retired public school science teacher from Hot Springs, Arkansas, won first prize in poetry. Second prize was taken by professor emerita Joyce Thomas of Castleton, Vermont and third prize was won by aspiring novelist Marilyn Mathis of Dallas, Texas.

“Our submissions come from writers all over the world,” says Larry Upshaw, Executive Director of Ageless Authors. “The winners usually come from all over the United States and Canada. They are the best from hundreds of submissions, and represent a breadth of talent among writers age 65 and older.”

The theme of this contest was Short … Everything -- short fiction and nonfiction of 1,000 words or less and poetry that’s unlimited. Submissions were judged by a cadre of volunteer judges from around the world, including writers, poets, editors, educators and professional people.

Prize winners receive cash awards along with certificates of distinction. Those recognized here are eligible for publishing in an anthology to be released next year. The group also honored finalists and honorable mention winners. Complete results are published at AgelessAuthors.com.

Ageless Authors is now conducting a writing contest under the timely theme, Coping With Crisis. This contest, which includes fiction, nonfiction and poetry, presents senior writers age 50 and older with the opportunity to apply their creativity to the pandemic and other crises. Winners will split a pot of almost $3,000. Entries are $20 each and are being accepted through July 31.

For more information, go to AgelessAuthors.com/current-contests/. For more on the group or to schedule interviews, contact Larry Upshaw at 214 405-5093 or larry@agelessauthors.com.

*To submit material for SeniorLifestyle, use the Contact Us form to tell us about yourself and the kind of material you can offer that fits the broad spectrum of "making the mnost of the 'second half.'" Some of our material is original; some collected from blogs and websites whose authors have agreed to allow us to share their materal; some from authors who make material available to a pool of publishers via email; still others from our own browsing.