The IMPAC-Connecticut State University
Young Writers Competition
Home
IMPAC Prize To Include Dublin Trip
Litchfield County Times
Sept. 16, 2005, Page 16.
LITCHFIELD -- Imagine a young writer from Connecticut having the opportunity to visit University College Dublin where James Joyce delivered a lecture about Ibsen.
Six enlightened business leaders -- long-time sponsors of the IMPAC-CSU Young Writers Trust -- are making this a reality.
Declan Kiberd, a professor of Anglo-Irish Literature, will be among the hosts when the 2006 state champions in prose and poetry visit Dublin next June. Top writers from Ireland such as novelist Edna O'Brien will be among those to meet, have lunch with or offer workshops with young writers from Europe, Asia and the U.S.
The week-long stay will include a tour of Dublin and workshops with judges for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and the winner of the 2006 IIMPAC Dublin Award - the world's largest prize [100,000 Euros] for a single work of fiction.
In addition to attending the black-tie dinner for the IMPAC Dublin Award, young writers will also be honored at their own event.
The IMPAC-Connecticut State University Young Writers Trust -- now in its 9th year -- has given more than $118,000 to Connecticut's best young poets and writers since 1998. More than 3,000 young writers have competed in the program.
Entry forms for the 2006 competition have been posted at ctyoungwriters.org, and have also been mailed to all public, private and parochial secondary schools in Connecticut.
Postings of the entry forms will also go up at various library sites throughout Connecticut.
Poets and writers in each of Connecticut's eight counties will be awarded $1,000 prizes during regional ceremonies next spring at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Eastern Connecticut State University in Danbury and Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic.
The annual dinner will follow at the Litchfield Inn in June. At that time, the state champions in prose and poetry will be announced. Their grand prizes will be trips to Dublin with a parent. Accommodations will be provided.
Sponsors for the grand prizes include Tomasso Brothers Inc. of New Britian, Litchfield Bancorp, Meehan, Meehan & Gavin of Bridgeport, Torrington Savings Bank, Halloran & Sage LLP of Hartford and Philip Russell P.C. of Greenwich.
Tomasso Brothers is sponsoring the trip to Dublin for the poetry champion and a parent of the student.
Sponsoring the prose champion and a parent are President & CEO Mark Macomber of Litchfield Bancorp, Atty. Rich Meehan of Meehan, Meehan & Gavin of Bridgeport, Jeffrey A. Lalonde, President & CEO of Torrington Savings Bank, Atty. Ken Slater of Halloran & Sage LLP of Hartford and Atty. Philip Russell of Philip Russell P.C. of Greenwich.
IMPAC, the world's leading productivity firm, endowed the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 10 years ago. IMPAC Chairman Jim Irwin and CSU Chancellor Bill Cibes joined to bring the Young Writers Program statewide in 2000.
The work of state champions in prose and poetry is considered for publication in Connecticut Review. Connecticut Review, the nationally-renowned literary journal, has been published since 1967 by the Connecticut State University System. The CSU System serves more than 35,000 students, making it the largest public university system in Connecticut. A total of 166 academic programs are offered throughout the system, and more than 5,000 degrees are awarded annually.
Subscriptions to the semi-annual journal can be ordered by sending a check to Connecticut Review, Connecticut State University System, 39 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105-2337. The annual rate is $24; for 2 years, $40. Connecticut Review is also sold at local bookstores. Order forms are available @ ctyoungwriters.org
Emily Dykes, a Montville High School student and the 2004 prose champion; and Alexandra Regenbogen, a Litchfield High School graduate and the 2004 poetry champion, now at Brown University, are featured in the 2005 spring edition of Connecticut Review.
Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts students Charlotte Crowe, the 2005 prose champion; and Jessica Roth, the 2005 poetry champion, will be featured in the Spring 2006 edition of Connecticut Review.