I couldn’t be prouder to share this news about a former student, Joelle McDonald (right), who has won the 2023 West Virginia Fiction Competition, sponsored by Shepherd University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities. McDonald won first place for her story “A Mourner.”

The judge of this statewide contest was none other than Ann Pancake, a writer and educator who is herself the recipient of the Whiting Award, The Pushcart Prize, and the Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award.

I always knew Joelle was brilliant and talented, and it’s wonderful to see others catching up. Joelle was a bio major at Wesleyan who’s now attending grad school and studying neuroplasticity.  When she was in my class, I knew she’d go on to accomplish great things. I just didn’t know she’d do it this quickly.  You can read more about the contest and all the winners here.