I am pleased to announce I have won Second Place in Marc Gibson’s John Duncan Writing Contest for 2016.

You can read my story on Marc Gibson’s blog, WordSlush, https://wordslush.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/travels-with-joseph-2nd-place-winner-the-john-duncan-writing-contest/.

The judges’ comments:

“Fully fleshed out characters lovingly forged. Rich in sensory detail, without getting bogged down in any one scene or situation. Moves smoothly from one scene to the next, even when not chronologically linear. Simply elegant.” – Elizabeth

“Well-composed work from someone who knows his subject. Neal gives a powerful insight into the challenging experience of helping others integrate back into society from prison. Written with clarity, honesty, and care.” – Marc

“A delicate and nuanced story of redemption, strength, and growth. A candid and sensitive ‘slice of life’ story addressing the struggles involved in starting over. Truly touching.” – John B