On a beautiful afternoon at Stephens Lake Park, members of the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild gathered alongside friends, family members, and supporters to celebrate the release of Well Versed, our annual anthology showcasing the incredible talent of writers throughout our community.
A Sunny Celebration
The launch party was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the hard work, creativity, and
dedication that went into this year’s collection. Surrounded by sunshine, good conversation, and
a generous potluck spread, attendees came together to honor the writers whose words fill the
pages of this year’s anthology.
One of the highlights of the event was hearing commentary from our contest judges, who
shared thoughtful reflections on the winning entries. Their remarks highlighted the strength and
diversity of this year’s submissions, from vivid poetry and compelling fiction to heartfelt
nonfiction and suspenseful flash fiction. Throughout the afternoon, winners were presented with
certificates recognizing their achievements and contributions to this year’s anthology.
Frank Montagnino
Nonfiction 2nd Place
Lari Younker
Nonfiction 3rd Place
Kevin Flaherty
Flashfiction 2nd Place
Bethany Spitzmiller
Flashfiction 3rd Place
Carol Buckels
Poetry 1st Place
Ken Gierke
Poetry 2nd Place
David Frankel
Poetry Honorable Mention
Millicent Henry
Fiction 1st Place
Lucinda Larayne
Fiction 2nd Place
Deb Sutton
Fiction 3rd Place
The judges praised the vivid imagery, compelling storytelling, and emotional depth found
throughout the winning pieces. Their comments served as a reminder of the remarkable range
of voices represented in Well Versed 2026 and the care each writer brought to their craft.
The celebration concluded with an open mic reading, where contributors shared selections of
their work aloud. Attendees listened to poems, stories, and excerpts that showcased the
creativity and passion of our writing community. The reading offered a meaningful opportunity
for writers to bring their words to life and for listeners to experience the anthology in a new way.
Beyond celebrating this year’s winners, the event was a celebration of community. Writers
connected with fellow authors, shared experiences, encouraged one another, and reflected on
the power of storytelling to bring people together.
We hope you’ll pick up a copy of Well Versed 2026 and join us in celebrating another
outstanding year of writing.
Well Versed 2026
Now available on Amazon
We’d like to thank:
Thank you to everyone who attended the launch party, contributed food to the potluck,
volunteered their time, served as judges, and supported this year’s anthology. Most importantly,
thank you to the writers whose words continue to inspire, challenge, entertain, and connect us.
Judges:
Marlene Lee
Clarence Wolfshohl
Crystal Budy
Agnes Vojta
Volunteers:
Alice Landrum, Terry Allen, Jana Stephens, Victor Padreo, Miriam Tepper, Sam Daugherty, Beth Adkins, Eilene Ording, Annabelle Corrick, Drew Van Dyke, Barbara Leonhard
Editors:
Cortney Daniels & Bethany Spitzmiller
Production Team:
Deb Sutton, Jackie Drage
Sponsors:
Skylark, Serendipity, Cafe Berlin, Cutline, Bushcase Editing, Spitzfire Editorial, Swallowtail Editorial Services, University of Missouri Press, Kaged Heat, and Joe Polacco
Article and photos by:
Bethany Spitzmiller
Bethany Spitzmiller is an editor, writing coach, and communication professional based in Columbia, Missouri. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communication with an emphasis in Journalism from Truman State University and a master’s degree in communication from the University of Central Missouri.
Her editorial experience spans newspapers, magazines, and digital media, as well as ghostwriting for a marketing agency. Her work has appeared in high-tier publications such as Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Inc. She is also the founder of Spitzfire Editorial, where she provides freelance editing and writing coaching services.