So … what is it like to be a first reader for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize? I had the pleasure of discovering that myself this year, reading six novels. I was struck by the range of submissions; one of the great aspects of the prize is that peace is defined as a theme that’s relevant globally as well as interpersonally.
I was also curious about the experiences of other First Readers, and recently chatted with just three of the 36 First Readers from this year (18 read in each category):
Kate Geiselman (Associate Professor of English at Sinclair Community College, essayist, fiction writer; first year as First Reader): “I read fiction. As a writer and educator, it was interesting to read novels created around the theme of peace and to analyze what worked and what didn’t, in terms of both literary merit and as works about the importance of peace. I really like the broad definition of peace for this award, because it acknowledges the power of peace—or the ravages of its absence—on both the global scale and in personal lives. And I have to admit I liked the challenge of articulately writing about each novel’s merits and how it fulfilled the mission of bringing to life the theme of peace.”
George Houk (retired marketing communications professional; First Reader since 2006): “This year, as in most years, I read non-fiction. I’ve read a lot all through my life but was attracted to this because I love reading fine writing and I’ve been passionate about peace. What has surprised me most about being a First Reader are two things: the quality of so much non-fiction on the subject, and how much I could actually read and appreciate in the short time we’ve had each year. Standing out among the experiences of doing this is the idea that peace can be so broadly defined by the range of topics covered by the books I’ve read and those that have won previous Literary Peace Prize recognition — conflict resolution at all levels: among nations, among factions within a nation; among races; within families; involving gender issues — just to name a few. I’ve also learned much I did not know, and should know, about societies and situations of immediate importance that had been outside of my awareness.”
Bob Pohl (CEO at CleanEnergy4All, a nonprofit; second year as First Reader): “I read nonfiction. The experience has increased my tremendous respect for all writers. The challenge as a reader is attempting to put aside my own ‘baggage,’ and approach each book on its own terms, looking for its own merits. Of course, our experiences affect our judgments of everything, including books, but I try to approach these books seriously and with as little bias as possible. Being involved as a volunteer reader for this prize not only reaffirms to me the importance of writing and literature, but the theme of peace in all its incarnations. I can’t think of a more important theme than that for a literary prize!”
First readers’ evaluations were reviewed, and top ranked selections were passed on to Final Judges, four award-winning writers. This year’s Final Judges were in fiction Michelle Latiolais and Maureen McCoy, both authors and professors; in nonfiction, Christopher Cerif, author, editor, composer and television producer, and Ken Bode, journalist and news correspondent for several national news organizations and journalism professor. Learn more about the Finalist Judges at www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org/2013-judges.htm.
Tonight, the winners and runners’ up of the 2013 Dayton Literary Peace Prize will be honored at a dinner and awards ceremony; in the process, the theme of peace will be celebrated.
Events
11 a.m. today (registration at 10:30 a.m.): A Conversation With the Winners of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, held at Sinclair Community College, Building 12, First Floor Auditorium. Participants include Wendell Berry, winner of the Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award for his body of work; Adam Johnson, Fiction Winner for The Orphan Master's Son; Andrew Solomon, Nonfiction Winner for Far from the Tree; and Gilbert King, Nonfiction Runner-up for Devil in the Grove. They will be joined by former winners including Tim O'Brien, recipient of the 2012 Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award. There will be a $10 donation to benefit Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation taken at the event (check or cash).
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday: Sinclair Community College's 40th Annual Creative Writing Workshop, Library, Building 7—The event kicks off with a free-to-the-public keynote by Maaza Mengiste, author of Beneath the Lion's Gaze and runner-up for the 2011 Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Following her keynote is a workshop in fiction, nonfiction and poetry led by numerous writers including Martha Moody (Sharp and Dangerous Virtues) and Rebecca Morean (essayist and fiction writer); the workshop is only $25.00 and may be registered for at the door. For more information or to register online, visit www.sinclair.edu/academics/lcs/departments/eng/ws/
2 p.m. Sunday Books & Co. at The Greene: Antioch Writers' Workshop presents its free Writers' Mini Seminar on "Writing a Personal Essay." The seminar will be led by Dayton Daily News reporter Mary McCarty.
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