FLORIDA KEYS COUNCIL OF THE ARTS
Press Release
Contact: Liz Young
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 305-295-4369

Elisabeth Anton Wins Writing Prize

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts, in conjunction with the Key West Writers Guild, congratulates Elisabeth Anton as the winner of this year’s Key West Writers Guild Award.  She will receive an award of $2,000.  This is the seventh annual award to be made.  The cash prize is supported by an endowment under the administration of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts.  Last year’s winner, Joanna Schmida of Key West received the award for her recently published historical fiction The Woman at the Light now available at local bookstores. 

Ms. Anton, is currently completing her first novel entitled At the Desert’s Edge.  Since moving to Key West in 2009 she has participated in a number of workshops and conferences in order to develop her writing skills. “Working with other writers in Key West has been a gift, and remains an ongoing source of inspiration for which I am grateful.”  

Her manuscript, identified only by number, was reviewed in a competitive field of submittals and selected by three distinguished judges:  Pat Silcox, Professor of English at Florida Keys Community College; Mandy Bolen Miles, columnist for the Key West Citizen; and poet and publisher Kirby Congdon.   

Local writers with works in progress are encouraged to apply for the 2011 award.  To qualify, one must be a resident of Monroe County, a member of the Key West Writers Guild, and working on either a novel or a work of non-fiction. Applicants must read from their work at two meetings of the Key West Writers Guild. Membership is $10 annually, and meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at the Key West Library, 700 Fleming Street.   

The complete application and instructions are posted at www.keywestwritersguild.net and www.keysarts.com.  The deadline for entries is April 9, 2011.