NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Faulkner Society has officially published the comprehensive results for its 2025-2026 Faulkner-Wisdom Competition, recognizing a distinguished group of writers across various literary categories. The announcement, made on September 23, 2026, highlights a diverse array of talent, with Laura Lane McNeal, Charlotte Hays, David Martin Anderson, and Rodger Kamenetz among the notable honorees whose works were celebrated for their literary merit.
In this prestigious competition, Laura Lane McNeal was named a winner. Charlotte Hays, hailing from Washington, DC, and David Martin Anderson of Boerne, TX, were both awarded Gold medals, signifying exceptional achievement in their respective categories. Rodger Kamenetz also received a winner distinction, underscoring the breadth of recognized talent. The Faulkner Society's detailed publication provides a thorough listing of these and other winning entries, offering insight into the contemporary literary landscape.
This significant literary announcement from the Faulkner Society arrives amidst a series of other major writing and creative contests that have recently unveiled their 2025 honorees, showcasing a vibrant period for artistic recognition. Palette Poetry, for instance, released the full list of winners for its 2025 poetry and writing contests on September 16, 2026. This esteemed competition celebrated Harrison Hamm, c. melín lara, Svetlana Sterlin, and Rae White for their compelling contributions to contemporary poetry, drawing attention to emerging and established voices in the field.
In the realm of academic writing, Georgetown University’s O'Neill page announced Richlove Amposah as the winner of its 2025 student writing competition on September 3, 2026. This recognition highlights outstanding student talent and scholarly engagement within the university community. Similarly, the 2025 JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest, which seeks to encourage thoughtful engagement with history and civic values, named Emily Matthews as its overall winner. Scarlet Strogov secured second place in this impactful competition, with results mentioned on September 2, 2026, acknowledging young voices in essay writing.
The screenwriting world also saw major recognitions with the 2025 Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition, whose winners were reported on September 8, 2025. Gary Lippman's compelling screenplay, titled 'Duress,' was crowned the winner of the main competition, signaling a promising new narrative for the screen. In a separate category dedicated to shorter forms, Micheal Allen Sangal earned 1st Place in the short screenplay contest, further highlighting the diverse talent shaping cinematic storytelling.
Collectively, these recent announcements from prominent organizations like the Faulkner Society, Palette Poetry, Georgetown O'Neill, Scriptapalooza, and the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest underscore a widespread dedication to fostering and celebrating excellence across various writing and creative disciplines. From deeply resonant poetry and impactful screenplays to insightful academic papers and profound essays, the recognized works reflect the rich and varied contributions of writers and artists in 2025 and 2026.