Well Versed 2025 – Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild

2025 Edition

“…left me feeling for my own breath. […] Though I was genuinely impressed with this poem’s craftsmanship, it was its heart that shook me,” Elijah Burrell, Professor of English & Creative Writing, Lincoln University and author of several poetry collections.

“I’d gladly read more in this world”, “funny and illuminating”, “a gripping plot that posed difficult moral quandaries” Matt Dube, Professor of English & Creative Writing at William Woods University.

“A lot of great talent….. Lots of really creative entries, I enjoyed reading them,” Hank Edwards, author of over thirty gay romance novels.

Nonfiction
Fiction
Poetry
Flash Fiction

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Browse other years

Nonfiction

Reflections on Repeat, Lynn Strand McIntosh
A Kiss, Jana Stephens
Not Today, Debbie Parker

Honorable Mention:
Lost a Neighbor, Gained a Plant, Annabelle Corrick

Fiction

Time Stepping to You, Megan Moreland
Aoife’s Spirit, Megan Moreland
Humble Pie, Susette Shreve

Honorable Mention:
Origins, Chinwe I. Ndubuka

Contest Winners

The Well-versed submission process also involves a contest with prizes.

Here are this year’s winners in each category.

Poetry

Laurie, David Frankel
On the Stationary Bike of Life, Teresa Klepac
It’s 4 AM, Nancy Jo Allen

Honorable Mention: Burning Days, Marcie McGuire

Flash Fiction

Local Woman Remains Defiant over Little Free Library, Steve Magnino
A Bargain at Twice the Price, Frank Montagnino
Stanley, Steve Magnino

Honorable Mention:
The Stakeout, Millicent Porter Henry