The 2024 Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books will offer a new writing contest for college students this fall named for the late Lillian Boese who was a key force in the Festival’s fifteen year history. The Lillian Boese Award for Writing Excellence will include competitions in essays, fiction and poetry, and is open to college students who reside in or attend college in Southeast Wisconsin.
In pursuing its goal to promote literacy in the community, the Festival has had the Century Fence Student Writing Contest for middle and high school students since it began. The Duane Stein Short Story Contest was added for all student writers under 19.
“We are committed to providing opportunities for students of all ages. This new contest will commemorate the work of Lillian Boese and bring growth to our activities for literacy,” according to Kathie Giorgio, Festival Coordinator.
Winners of First, Second and Third prize in each category will receive $350, $250 and $150, respectively. Complete details for entry can be found here.
Entries are due by November 15. Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on December 6.
Lillian Boese, who died in June, was the Executive Director of the UWM-Waukesha Foundation when the Festival of Books was created as an activity of the Foundation in 2009. After her retirement, she continued as Community Co-Chair and as Fundraising Chair for several years. She was active on the committee to save the Festival this year.
The Festival of Books will hold a memorial tribute to her that is open to the public on November 8, at the UWM-Waukesha Commons. The tribute will follow the 7 pm writing contest awards program for the Century Fence Student Writing Contest and the Duane Stein Short Story Contest.
