WHO WON IN 2013?

THE WADADLI PEN CHALLENGE 2013 FINALISTS ARE…

ANTIGUA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
ASHA GRAHAM
AVECIA JAMES
CHAMMAIAH AMBROSE
DARYL GEORGE
DENNIKA BASCOM
GAVIN JEFFREY BENJAMIN
JAMIKA NEDD
JAMILA H. K. SALANKEY
MICHAELA HARRIS
ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY
VEGA ARMSTRONG
ZURI HOLDER

*see all shortlisted writers here.

*re prize split – please note that each shortlisted writer receives a Certificate of Achievement as well as discount cards from the Best of Books; and the overall winner’s name has been emblazoned alongside the name of past winners onto the Challenge plaque – sponsored by the Best of Books.

 

SCHOOLS WITH THE MOST SUBMISSIONS

Primary School – St. John’s Catholic Primary – US$500 worth of books sponsored by Hands Across the Sea

Secondary School – Antigua Girls High School – US$500 worth of books sponsored by Hands Across the Seatop

ASHA GRAHAM

Author of Revelations Tonight and Remembrance
Overall Winner (Revelations Tonight), Winner in the 13 to 17 age category (Revelations Tonight) and Third placed in the 13 to 17 age category (Remembrance)

Total prizes:

Cash

$500 sponsored by Conrad Luke of R. K. Luke and Sons and the Leonard Tim Hector Memorial Committee

Literary Opportunities

Sponsored spot – Just Write writers retreat courtesy Brenda Lee Browne

Books

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince

Oh Gad! by Joanne C. Hillhouse

LiTTscapes: Landscapes of Fiction from Trinidad and Tobago by Kris Rampersad

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and other gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde

The Caribbean Writer Volume 26 & the Antigua and Barbuda Review of Books - women’s edition contributed by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Huracan by Diana McCaulay

Island Princess in Brooklyn by Diane Browne

The Legend of Bat’s Cave and Other Stories by Barbara Arrindell

And more

Original one of a kind journal created by Jane Seagull

Pen sponsored by Pam Arthurton of Carib World Travel and the Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

Two tickets on board Barbuda Express

Gift bag from Raw Island Products

Gift courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse  top

DARYL GEORGE

Author of Ceramic Blues and Julie Drops
Second placed Overall (Ceramic Blues), Winner (Ceramic Blues) and Second Placed (Julie Drops) in the 18 to 35 age category

Total prizes:

Cash

$200 (patron prefers to remain anonymous)

Literary Opportunities

Sponsored spot – Just Write writers retreat courtesy Brenda Lee Browne

Books

Unburnable by Marie Elena John

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince

Dog-Heart by Diana McCaulay

Althea Prince’s In the Black: New African Canadian Literature (contributed by Joanne C. Hillhouse)

Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde

Tides that Bind and the Road to Wadi Halfa by Claudia Elizabeth Ruth Francis

Sweet Lady by Elaine Spires

Book gift courtesy Silver Lining supermarket

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

And more

2 tickets on board Barbuda Express

Lunch for two at Keyonna Beach

Lunch for two – Bayhouse Restaurant @ Tradewinds Hotel

Gifts courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse  top

ZURI HOLDER

Author of The Big Event
Third placed overall and first placed in the 12 and younger age category

Total prizes:

Books

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince

The Legend of Bat’s Cave and Other Stories by Barbara Arrindell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

And more

$200 Gift certificate – Stephen B. Shoul

2 tickets on board Barbuda Express

Gift courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse top

JAMILA H. K. SALANKEY

Author of Her Blackest Sin
Third placed in the 18 to 35 age category

Total prizes:

Books

Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing

Tides that Bind and the Road to Wadi Halfa by Claudia Elizabeth Ruth Francis

And More

Gift certificate for Latte, Capuccino or Coffee – Heavenly Java 2 Go.top

MICHAELA HARRIS

Author of Secret of de Mango Tree
Second placed in the 13 to 17 age category

Total prizes:

Books

Island Princess in Brooklyn by Diane Browne

Pink Teacups and Blue Dresses by Floree Williams

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

And More

$50 book gift certificate – Cushion Club top

VEGA ARMSTRONG

Author of Hide and Seek
Second placed in the 12 and younger age category

Total Prizes:

Books

Caribbean Adventure Series – three pack by Carol Mitchell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books top

CHAMMAIAH AMBROSE

Author of How Tigers Got Stripes
Third placed in the 12 and younger age category

Total prizes:

Books

The Legend of Bat’s Cave and other stories by Barbara Arrindell

Caribbean Adventure Series – three pack by Carol Mitchell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books top

DENNIKA BASCOM

Winner in the junior section of 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge

Total Prizes:

Seascapes by Carol Mitchell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Gift courtesy Jane Seagull

Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top

 

AVECIA JAMES

Second placed in the junior section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge

Total Prizes:

Antigua My Antigua by Barbara Arrindell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top

 

JAMIKA NEDD

Third placed in the junior section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge

Total Prizes:

Antigua My Antigua by Barbara Arrindell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top

GAVIN JEFFREY BENJAMIN

Winner in the young adult section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge

Total Prizes:

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Gift courtesy Art at the Ridge

Cash gift courtesy Koren Norton and anonymous donor

That he may have the opportunity to collaborate with writer Barbara Arrindell on her next children’s picture book is something we can all look forward to top

Special thanks as well to all the 2013 partners: Barbara Arrindell and the Best of Books, Floree Williams, Devra Thomas, Linisa George, and Brenda Lee Browne. Thanks as well to our media partners who help get the word out, especially Antigua Nice and 365 Antigua who for several years and ongoing have hosted pages for Wadadli Pen on their very busy hubs.

I am Joanne C. Hillhouse. I am first and foremost a writer (author of The Boy from Willlow Bend, Dancing Nude in the Moonlight, Oh Gad! and contributor to other anthologies and journals) who could’ve benefited from this kind of encouragement back in the day. That’s why I do this. Congratulations to all the winners, and remember this is not just a contest; this is our attempt to nurture and showcase Antiguan and Barbudan literary talent. We’ve taken the time over the years to provide feedback to the winning writers, conduct writing workshops including online workshops right here on this site, visit schools, and other activities (such as this site) designed to help young writers hone their skills. As we showcase your best efforts here on http://wadadlipen.wordpress.com we encourage you to keep writing and to remain open to the opportunities to become a better writer.

…toward Wadadli Pen 2013

I posted this on my facebook earlier today…and now I’m posting it here:

Just got off the phone with Conrad Luke and feeling extremely blessed as he, with no pleading whatsoever from me, pledged a second straight year of patronage to Wadadli Pen and for a few more years as well…all this while I’ve been too busy and bummed with real life to even begin thinking about soliciting or really putting things in place for the 2013 programme. We need all the help we can get  (as stated in this pledge request) so so thankful for those who’ve pledged their support already for 2013 such as Hands Across the Sea, Jamaican writer Diana McCaulay, the Best of Books and now Lukie. Sweet! I might have danced around the living room and sang a little Tammi Faye Baker (“we’re blessed, we’re blessed, we’re blessed..”) after getting off the phone, but there’s no video footage to prove it

 

 

2012 Patrons and Partners

(This list will continue to grow as names are added, so keep checking back)

2012* Partners:

The Best of Books

Brenda Lee Browne

Claytine Nisbett

Floree Williams

Megan Samuel-Fields

Devra Thomas

and, as founder and coordinator 2004 to present, Joanne C. HIllhouse (me).

More on Past partnerships and Wadadli Pen history .

*The involvement of some (possibly all) of these team members will not necessarily be specific to or limited to 2012 as Wadadli Pen plans to segue into the formalization of the programme into a proper non-profit.

2012 Sponsors:

THE BEST OF BOOKS

ABI INSURANCE - a major sponsor last year; and again this year.

CONRAD ‘LUKIE’ LUKE of R. K. Luke and Sons and the Leonard ‘Tim’ Hector Memorial Committee

ONDECK - which puts novices and experts alike on the water for hours of fun and adventure.

 FRANK B. ARMSTRONG - Supporting for the second year in a row through its Seven Seas Brand.

ADVENTURE ANTIGUA - recent winner of Caribbean Travel and Leisure Magazine’s People’s Choice Award for Best Caribbean Excursion Company.

ANTIGUA RAINFOREST CANOPY TOUR - did this, it’s awesome!

 BLUE WATERS  

JOLLY BEACH RESORT - Antigua’s all inclusive beach resort, family friendly vacation destination.

KEYONNA BEACH HOTEL - A resort property on the southwest coast, where dining is literally beachside.

STEPHEN B. SHOUL

NANA EKUA BREW HAMMOND – Ghanaian-American author of Powder Necklace.

FLOREE WILLIAMS, a 2012 partner and author of Through the Window and Pink Teacups and Blue Dresses

BARBARA ARRINDELL author of Antigua My Antigua

CLAYTINE NISBETT

AUSTRALIAN HOMEMADE

JABBERWOCKY

LITTLE ANTIGUA ISLAND TOUR

ELAINE SPIRES – author of What’s Eating Me? and Singles’ Holiday

D. GISELE ISAAC – author of Considering Venus and a founding member and former judge of Wadadli Pen

BRENDA LEE BROWNE

JOANNE C. HILLHOUSE

CARIBBEAN HELICOPTERS

ACT

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

MARIE ELENA JOHN

C + C WINEHOUSE

CUSHION CLUB

2012 MediaPartners:

Thanks to all the media, bloggers etc. who dilligently run our notices and releases re the competition. Special thanks to Antiguanice.com and 365antigua.com for the free advertising space they’ve given to Wadadli Pen.

Wadadli Pen 2012 Now Accepting Submissions

 

Origins, Liberating Love; the Focus of Wadadli Pen 2012

16^th January 2012

The Wadadli Pen 2012 Challenge in partnership with the Best of Books is inviting submissions of poems and short stories from Antiguans and Barbudans between now and February 17^th 2012.

You don’t have to create to a specific theme but your stories, as usual, do have to be Caribbean in spirit. Don’t interpret this to mean you have to create in a box but rather use the Caribbean as the foundation from which you will let your imagination fly. Returning to its roots, when it started in 2004, the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2012 edition will not limit you to a single theme; let your Muse be your guide and write about whatever you want. That said, in addition to the prizes within age categories (12 and younger, 13 to 17, 18 to 35) and for the overall winners, judges will select best stories under the themes Origins and Liberate Love. For those of you who need it consider it a prompt.

Liberate Love as a theme is a tie in with a new campaign, of the same name, set to be launched here in 2012; while the idea behind Origins is to encourage us “to dream our own dreams, let our imaginations run free for a while”, to quote Caribbean author Joanne Gail Johnson. Origins, therefore, can range from physical to mythological, from the origin of an idea to the origin of a country. We really want to encourage you to push the boundaries, break with convention; take risks.

Entries must be original, created by you, and previously unpublished; they can be no more, give or take, than 600 words; and each individual is allowed up to three submissions. You must be 35 years or younger to enter, and you can write in any genre.

Parents and teachers, here’s an opportunity to provide a new challenge for young people in your lives; build their literacy skills, while drawing on their knowledge and experience and unleashing their imagination.

For full terms of use and other guidelines visit http://wadadlipen.wordpress.com or email wadadlipen@yahoo.com if you have specific questions.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

 

Wadadli Pen Open Mic – A New Beginning

When: Saturday, January 14, 2012

Time: 7:30pm until 9:00pm.

Where: Best of Books, #1 Village Walk, Friar’s Hill Rd

Description: No we’re not starting over, but with a New Year comes another opportunity, a clean page to write our lives the way we want it. An opportunity to not just build from scratch but to move forward building of off our experiences from the past year(s).

With that in mind Wadadli Pen Open Mic presents: A New Beginning. Let us greet the new year the best way we know how, with the word.

So looking forward to seeing and sharing with all of our old and new friends and come tell us your stories, share your poetry, sing us your songs, entertain us with your plays and test your verbal skills if you’re up for the impromtu challenges.

Saturday 14th January promises a fun evening for the whole family as we do everytime.

A New Beginning – See it how you want it, Take it how you feel it, say it how you mean it.

Remember: Saturday 14th January, 7:30pm sharp, Best of Books #1 Village Walk, Friar’s Hill Rd.

Happy New Year!

Promoting Literacy in Antigua and Barbuda

Mario Picayo reads in Antigua

On a 16 country trek through the Caribbean, Cuban born children’s author Mario Picayo (PICAYO PRESS) stopped and read from his book, A Caribbean Journey from A to Y (Read and Discover What Happened to the Z), at Best of Books in Antigua on December 30th. Children and adults alike were engaged. Here are some highlights courtesy Picayo himself and the Best of Books).

another view.

...and another.

 

Picayo flanked by Glen Toussaint (left) and Barbara Arrindell holding a copy of her own recently released and reportedly selling like hotcakes book Antigua My Antigua. Glen and Barbara are both of the Best of Books bookstore.

Lit News – a mini update

1. The local literary community made out okay at the National Youth Awards this past Saturday. Congrats to Tameka Jarvis-George, Brenda Lee Browne, and the Best of Books. Jarvis-George received the Literary Arts Award, Browne received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Best of Books rceived a Corporate Award. It was a good night; congrats to both winners and organizers (on a totally self-indulgent note congrats also to my niece D’jeri for her sports award). Here’s more.

2. Emile Hill’s Angels Project launches this coming Saturday at the National Museum, 8 p.m. Looking forward to it. Congrats to him as well.

3. You have to check this out.

4. And don’t forget all the other fun activity: Mixing poetry and moonlight are Expressions and the Wadadli Pen Open Mic especially – the former the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at Heavenly Java 2 Go and the latter the second Saturday of every month at the Best of Books on Friars Hill Road, #1 Village Walk Mall. No word yet on the December Open Mic theme but I can tell you that Expressions is planning a special screening for its last session of the season, December 13th.

Wadadli Pen Open Mic and Antigua Public Library Team Up

The following notice was issued by the organizers of the Wadadli Pen Open Mic:

Wadadli pen open mic continues under the theme ‘It’s My Thing’.

In addition we’ll be linking up with the Public Library – which, as a promotion for its American Corner, will be staging its first Open Mic – for a (Wadadli-Pen first) double-header Open-mic/ Spoken word.

As usual invitation is extended to EVERYBODY so walk wit your BB, book, friend, paper, pencil, pen…come out and enjoy an evening of the word. Open Mic starts at 7:00pm and don’t forget the topic ‘Its My Thing’; take it how you want it, say it how you feel it.

Venue (as usual): The Best of Books at Royal Palm on Friars Hill Road.

2011 Sponsors and Partners

(This list will continue to grow as names are added, so keep checking back)

2011 Partners:

The Best of Books

Brenda Lee Browne (media and communications consultant/writer)

Dotsie Isaac Gellizeau (poet)

Renee Phillip (art teacher)

More on Past partnerships and Wadadli Pen history here.

2011 Sponsors:

ABI Insurance

Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company Limited

Seven Seas (via Antigua and Barbuda distributor Frank B. Armstrong)

The Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

The International Women’s Club of Antigua and Barbuda

D. Gisele Isaac (author of Considering Venus; screenwriter, No Seed and the Sweetest Mango; fmr. Wadadli Pen judge)

Benetton

Floree Williams (author of Pink Teacups and Blue Dresses, Through A Window)

Antiguanice.com

Edison Arts

K & E Party Time and Rentals

Jennifer Meranto

Jewell Parker Rhodes

Marcel Marshall

See past sponsors here

BEST OF BOOKS STORY FAIR (AND WADADLI PEN AWARDS)

CELEBRATING

TEN YEARS

THE BEST OF BOOKS

“Outdoor Book and Story Fair”

Saturday
25^th June – UWI Open Campus (formerly known as
University Centre)

5 pm    Part 1- Wadadli Pen
Open Mic Special Edition for Youth Top Prize from
New Gate  

6 pm    Part 2 – Wadadli Pen Challenge 2011 Prize Giving Ceremony

7 pm    Part 3- Wadadli
Pen Open Mic Special Edition for Adults Top Prize from Whispering Bamboo

8 PM    Part 4    Back on the
Stage Again Drama – Music – Dance – Poetry & More

Sunday,
26^th June 2011 ACB Parking Lot  - St. Mary’s Street

Morning
Workshops

10:00 AM I Keep Safe – Internet
Safety! A fun workshop for children & parents

10:30 AM Mr. Terrific – Bringing
energy to our youth through the pages of our books.

11:30 AM Arline Edwards-Joseph,
Ph.D.,   “Once a student, Now a
teacher”, Once a camper, Now a counsellor, Once a child, Now a parent.”

1PM – 5
PM. For adults Local Authors Tents; Book Wars; Writing
& Reading workshops, Teaching your child to read with Jolly Phonics at home;

Maths can be fun and interactive
with BEAM,

1PM – 5
PM. For children Story
Time with celebrity readers, Bounce Castle by LIVI Inflatables, Meet
Dora and enjoy Face Painting by Shawanda Party People,
Lucky dip, CCSET International Dr. Seuss Tent, Piglets Arts & Craft
Activity Time; Reading Competitions for 9 – 11 year olds; Artist the Juggler
with his bag of tricks; Spelling Competitions for 6 – 8 year olds; On the Spot
Writing Competitions for 12 – 18 year olds, Art Lessons with Edison Liburd; Poetry
Competitions and more. Call 562 7654 to
register for our morning workshops for educators, youth group leaders and
parents – space is limited. main sponsors

Bringing books from the shelves to the
sidewalks ..

…And stories from the pages to the pavement
…

The Best of Books and Literary Antigua

Our Partners

ACB                          COURTS                     LIME

UWI Open Campus /  Piglets / The Optimist Club of St. John’s/

Occasions Party Rentals / Whispering
Bamboo / New Gate  

Participating Publishers

 NELSON THORNES                  MACMILLAN                 PEARSON                  OXFORD READING TREE

BarCharts
/ Jolly Learning Ltd

***ALSO CHECK OUT THIS BEST OF BOOKS SALE***

 25% OFF all books except School Text Books which are 10% off
Wednesday 15^th – Friday 24^nd June
Ask about 40 & 50% off specials