UCLA Extension Writers' Program

Winning writers with mentors and benefactor

The James Kirkwood Literary Prize

Congratulations to the 2009 Kirkwood Award Winners!

First Place - Lisa Alexander (nominating instructor David Borofka) for her short story, "Lemonade"

Second Place - Michele Piazza (nominating instructor Les Plesko/Master Class) for her novel excerpt Pictures of Birds

Third Place - Jamie Schaffner (nominating instructor Les Plesko) for her novel excerpt Get the Girl

We also congratulate this year's semi-finalists: Josh Denslow (nominating instructor Lou Mathews) for his short story "Proximity"; Margot Demopoulos (nominating instructor Claire Carmichael) for her novel excerpt Mourning; and Patricia Schwarz (nominating instructor Lisa Cron) for her novel excerpt Flight.

For a list of all of the Kirkwood nominees, click here.

The James Kirkwood Literary Prize is named for the late Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author James Kirkwood, one of the Writers' Program's most illustrious students. Kirkwood received his big break in one of our classes when his novel writing instructor, the late Robert Kirsch, identified his talent and helped him launch his career. In Kirkwood's memory, his friends and admirers established the James Kirkwood Prize to honor new generations of Writers' Program fiction writers for their literary achievements.

Each year in August, instructors who have taught intermediate and advanced level courses are invited to nominate up to two outstanding students who are then asked to submit 10-20 pages for consideration. The three finalists are determined by selected Writers' Program instructors, and the winner is determined by Andrew Morse, the prize's benefactor. The three finalists, who will be named in November, receive cash prizes ($500 First Place, $300 Second Place, and $200 Third Place) and are honored at a luncheon attended by Mr. Morse, the nominating instructors, judges, and Writers' Program staff.

For a list of all previous Kirkwood Award winners, dating back to 1991, click here.