• Finalists to be notified in mid-January

Salisbury, MD — The Eastern Shore Reading Council (ESRC) wrapped up the 2017 year scoring high quality short stories and poems from students representing 28 schools within three public school districts and four private schools on the Lower Eastern Shore. In one of the highest quality competitions this decade, the Reading Council has decided to

change its format in notifying individuals finalist, those who finish in the top three in their specific category.

Instead of mailing out an entire list of winners, the Council opted to notify only the top three winners in each category by indicating they are finalist in the writing contest.

Those receiving the finalist postcard mailing are invited to the annual awards reception at the Children’s Literature Festival hosted at Salisbury University in the spring. At that time, individuals will learn where they finished in that top three.

“The change in format allows for an opportunity to enhance the experience for those students finishing in the top three as a finalist,” Brian Cook, co-chair of the Young Authors’ Contest, explained as its his belief the placing in the Young Authors’ Contest should get as much recognition as a student-athlete winning an individual title. “We are hoping to build a feeling of anticipation with these highly talented authors as well as their families.”

Cook indicated there will be photography backdrops available for award winners and families following the event as well as school principals and superintendents invited to celebrate with each of the award winners.

“I want to see this event to built up like the Oscars of writing for these students. They are working hard every day and deserve the very best,” Cook stated.

More information regarding the Young Authors’ Contest Awards Reception will be disseminated to finalists, parents, teachers, principals, central office personnel, and news organizations as it becomes available.