Waldadli Pen:
Wadadli Pen’s first in-person writing challenge awards post-COVID-19 pandemic took the form of a literary fete – a literal celebration of the word – on July 2nd, 2023, lower St. Mary’s Street, on the street outside of the Best of Books bookstore.
Best of Books has been a day-one patron and awards partner since 2011. They this time co-organized the awards with the Cultural Development Division of Antigua and Barbuda.
The event shared the spotlight with the launch of children’s book To be a Cheetah, written and illustrated by Joanne C. Hillhouse and Zavian Archibald, respectively.
Hillhouse is president of Wadadli Pen Inc., the non-profit responsible for the Challenge, and founder and coordinator of Wadadli Pen, which she launched with the first Challenge in 2004 to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda.
With this post, we do both of those things.
Acknowledgment of 2023 Patrons who give, as Carib-World Travel’s Pam Arthurton said “as encouragement to young persons [of all ages] with talent and a desire and ambition to keep striving to improve” and in support of Wadadli Pen’s developmental activities:
Barbara Arrindell, The Best of Books Bookstore
Carib-World Travel, Crossroads Centre Antigua, Cultural Development Division of Antigua and Barbuda, Cushion Club
Danielle Boodoo-Fortune, Daryl George, Dianne’s Brokerage Services
Elaine Grimes-Graeme
Frank B. Armstrong (Antigua) Ltd.
Harper Collins (UK)
Joanne C. Hillhouse, Joy Lawrence, Juneth Webson
Kimolisa Mings, KN Consulting
Moondancer Books
Papillote Press, Patricia L.Tully, Photogenesis Imaging Solutions
Ten Pages Bookstore
You Too Soup
& additional funds collected on the day of the July 2nd 2023 literary fete from an anonymous longtime patron and proceeds (i.e. a percentage of sales) from participation in the day’s activities from Mary John and Edison Liburd.
This year, overwhelmed by the 101 entries and wanting to encourage the ones of great promise that did not make the final cut, we offer for the first time (and continuing) incentive prizes to encourage these writers to keep writing.
Incentive/Encouragement award:
| Author | Entry | Notes/Trivia | Prizes |
| Neola S. Noronha | “A Fantasy Realm in the Caribbean” (story) | St. John’s Catholic Primary student – age: 11
Story is about an Amerindian boy who fell into a hole and discovered… |
Gift (scholarship to her Teen & Preteen Reading, Writing & Public Speaking Camp.) – Barbara Arrindell |
| Razonique Looby | “Big Drama” (story) | Antigua State College student – age: 17
2021 Wadadli Pen Challenge Honourable Mention (“Vixen”) In this story, a girl too smart for her own good finally gets some comeuppance. |
Gift (books) – Best of Books |
| Andrecia Lewis | “Thoughts of a West-Indian” (story) | 2018 Wadadli Pen Challenge Honourable Mention (“Sunday School”) & 3rd 13 – 17 in 2017 (“Strange”)
This story finds a woman pondering the human dilemma on a blistering bus ride |
Gift (books) – Best of Books |
All finalists receive certificates from Wadadli Pen Inc. (sponsored by the Best of Books bookstore) & all winners, including short-listed writers (plus the 13 to 17 and 18+ incentive prize winners), will be invited to register (free of cost) for Jhohadli Summer Youth Writing Project & register interest in a writing internship with Joanne C. Hillhouse.
Cash prizes pulled from monetary contributions to the Wadadli Pen Inc. non-profit by Barbara Arrindell, Carib-World Travel, Crossroads Centre Antigua, Daryl George, Dianne’s Brokerage Services, Elaine Grimes-Graeme, Juneth Webson, and Photogenesis Imaging Solutions.
Short listed writers:
| Author | Entry | Notes/Trivia | Prizes |
| Anaya Belle | “Antigua Nice” (story) | Island Academy – category: 13 – 17 | Gift (books) – Best of Books
$25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
| Darlene Beazer-Parker | “De Bench na belong to You” (story) | category: 18+ | Gift (books) – Best of Books
$25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
| Joseph Elton Williams | “From Sustainability to Riches” (story) | category: 18+ | Gift (books) – Best of Books
$25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
| Giselle Clarke | “Jamtigua” (poem) | St. Andrew’s Primary School – category: 12 and younger | Gift (books) – Best of Books
$25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
| Linita Roxann Simon | “The Neighbour” (story) | category: 18+
2018 Wadadli Pen long listed writer |
Gift (books) – Best of Books
$25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
| Marley Willey | “The Search for Saltfish” (story) | category: 13 – 17 | Gift (books) – Best of Books
$25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
Schools’ Prize (for the school with the most submissions):
| School | Number of entries | Notes/Trivia | Prizes |
| St. Andrews Primary School | 28 | 2018 Wadadli Pen Challenge schools’ prize winner | $500
Gift (books) – Best of Books Books: The Jungle Outside, Turtle Beach, How to be a Calypsonian from Harper Collins (UK) |
18+ (Adult) category winner:
| Author | Entry | Notes/Trivia | Prize |
| Lucia Murray | “The ol’ higue does not Dream of Baby’s Blood” (story) | 18+ age category
2017 Wadadli Pen Challenge 2nd 18-35 age category (“Mr. Duppy”) Lucia loves pretty words and pictures – as well as words and pictures that aren’t so pretty but make you feel things. |
$250
Book: The People’s Point, contributed by the author Joy Lawrence The Love in a Box gift box and copies of Koren Norton’s books You can do it and Now do it! Book: A Short Book about Love contributed by Papillote Press |
13 to 17 age category winner:
| Author | Entry | Notes/Trivia | Prizes |
| Chioma Ochasi | “Caribbean Treasure” (story) | Antigua Girls High School – age: 16
Has a passion for the creative arts such as writing and theatre Story is about two boys stealing mangoes. |
Voucher (valued at $150) for supplements – Frank B. Armstrong
$50 gift certificates from Ten Pages Bookstore Book: The People’s Point, contributed by the author Joy Lawrence Book: Musical Youth by Joanne C. Hillhouse $200 $25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
12 and younger winner – tie:
| Author | Entry | Notes/Trivia | Prizes |
| Anushree Satpute | “What makes the Caribbean?” (story) | Island Academy International School – age: 12 Story is about a person who has trouble fitting in in the Caribbean but comes to appreciate the culture. |
Name affixed to the Zuri Holder Memorial plaque + $50 gift certificate from the Cushion Club
Voucher (valued at $150) for supplements – Frank B. Armstrong School bag with supplies from KN Consulting Book: Musical Youth by Joanne C. Hillhouse $150 $25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
| Zende Hazelwood | “I’m an Island Boy” (poem) | St. Andrew’s Primary School – grade 6 | Name affixed to the Zuri Holder Memorial plaque + $50 gift certificate from the Cushion Club
Voucher (valued at $150) for supplements – Frank B. Armstrong Papillote Press 4 books: Book: Musical Youth by Joanne C. Hillhouse $150 $25 Gift certificate for books – Juneth Webson |
Main prize:
| Author | Entry | Notes/Trivia | Prizes |
| Lucia Murray | “The ol’ higue does not Dream of Baby’s Blood” (story) | 18+ age category
2017 Wadadli Pen Challenge 2nd 18-35 age category (“Mr. Duppy”) Aspiring storyteller In her story, the ol’ higue is misunderstood. |
Name added to the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize ‘Alstyne Allen Challenge Memorial Plaque’ sponsored by the Best of Books
Custom-made journal by Trinidad and Tobago artist Danielle Boodoo-Fortune $450 Gift certificate for a Book by Kimolisa Mings +/- session on or assistance with self-publishing A copy of Stories From The Krib donated by co-author Patricia Tully You too Soup voucher |
Winning stories will be posted on July 12th 2023 – Caribbean Literature Day – here on the Wadadli Pen blog and with recordings to our Wadadli Pen YouTube channel.
There will probably be a photo gallery before then as more images from the event come in; subscribing is the best way to ensure you don’t miss anything.
With thanks to the entire Wadadli Pen team, our patrons, all participants, and everyone who has and continues to support our efforts to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, here ends the 2023 Wadadli Pen Challenge season.
To reach out to Wadadli Pen concerning any of the above, email [email protected].
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