On January 15, 2009 Tampa Writers Alliance held its' Annual Awards Banquet to recognize winners of our yearly writing contest.

Libby Dobbins (left) accepts awards from Michael Darling and Sandra Kischuk in behalf of TWA member Charles Norman who was unable to attend due to unusual circumstances. Charlie won two first place awards, two second place, and an honorable mention for total prize money of $375.00. “I can assure you,” Libby said. “Charlie would rather be here enjoying your fellowship, than anywhere else in the world. That’s because it would mean that he is free, out here where he deserves to be, rather than where he is, which is wrongfully imprisoned for the last 32 years."

“I’d like to convey how much it means to Charlie to be a member of TWA and to be so warmly and genuinely embraced by each of you." Charlie has described what living in prison is like for him as being at the bottom of a deep, dark hole, alone, being fed negativity, and subjected to daily, physical, and mental harassment. Therefore, any contact with the outside world is like getting a steak dinner and basking in the warm sunshine. “When Charlie is asked why he writes, his reply is, ‘I can’t not write—I am compelled to write.’ For Charlie Norman, writing and having an outlet in the real, normal world literally keeps him sane, human, and connected. It enables him to live a worthwhile life in spite of his circumstances.”

Charlie has won numerous national writing awards from PEN over the past 23 years. His plays have been performed in New York. You can read the Hettie Jones/ Charlie Norman interview at: www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/2585/prmID/1622

The Associated Press also conducted a video and print interview with Charlie at Tomoka C.I. concerning his work with the Anne Frank Center U.S.A. Prison Diary Program. The interview was published in over 40 newspapers inthe U.S. and abroad.

The web site www.freecharlienow.com has more about his life in prison, literary works, artwork, and a photo gallery. A link to Charlie’s blog is on the home page. Read his non-fiction, first-place award winning story “Surviving the Florida Marathon” in Wordsmith.

 Sandra Kischuk wins Five Awards: According to Sandra, “If you want to win, you need to enter the contest.” She submitted 18 entries and carried home $325.00 in prize money. Winning entries of all contestants have been published in Wordsmith.

Winners in the 2008 Writing Contest are: