Create an Illusion: Florida Writers Association Collection, Volume 12

by Shutta Crum, Ricky Keck, Jody Lebel

A tremendous contest resulted in 108 members submitting 143 entries. Our Person of Renown, Mark H. Newhouse, winner of the 2019 Royal Palm Literary Award Published Book of the Year for The Devil’s Bookkeepers (Book 1 – The Noose), had the daunting task of choosing his top ten favorites from the 60 winning entries. A retired NY teacher, he is Florida Writers Association’s Youth Chairperson, and Florida Writers Association board member. Thanks to Mark and our members’ participation, the Collection contest remains one of our popular annual events.

Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

Shutta Crum is bi-peninsular, spending half the year in Michigan and half the year in Florida. She is the author of three middle-grade novels and fifteen picture books, as well as many poems, magazine articles, and two poetry chapbooks for adults. Her books have made Bank Street College lists as well as state award lists. THUNDER-BOOMER! was an ALA and a Smithsonian Magazine “Notable Book” of the year. WHEN YOU GET HERE (poems for adults) won a gold Royal Palm Literary Award, (FL). She is also the author of two nearly wordless books MINE! and UH-OH! both published by Knopf. MINE! made the Texas 2X2 list and was a Crystal Kite Award winner for the illustrator Patrice Barton. Of MINE! the N. Y. Times said, “a delightful example of the drama and emotion that a nearly wordless book can convey.” In 2005 she was invited to read at the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. She is a retired librarian and now blogs regularly for the Florida Writers Association, writes a bimonthly column for the Fl. State Poetry Association magazine Of Poets & Poetry, and leads the Friday Follies writing group. In addition, she writes and publishes THE WORDSMITH’S PLAYGROUND, a monthly newsletter for writers. For more info: www.shutta.com