Writer to Writer is an annual writing contest for adult learners enrolled in California Library Literacy Services.
Participating learners read a book of their choice and write a personal letter to the author about how the book has affected them. Learners may listen to a book and dictate a letter to their tutor for submission. No book is too easy to be the subject of a letter.
Writer to Writer gives adult learners the opportunity to write, to express their voice in a safe and trusted environment, and to achieve many of the goals in the Roles and Goals framework.
How to Participate
Writer to Writer is coordinated by the Southern California Library Literacy Network for adults learners in southern California. The contest runs from September to December and the Network sends out calls for participation in the fall.
Learners can enter Writer to Writer in one of four categories: Emerging, Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Writer. A panel of library literacy coordinators and adult learners judges the entries and selects one winner and two runners-up in each category. Every entrant receives a certificate of participation. The winning and runner-up letters are compiled into a booklet.
The Network hosts a Writer to Writer awards ceremony in the spring where learners are celebrated and the booklet is distributed.
We encourage all library literacy networks to support Writer to Writer for learners in their member libraries. If you have any questions, please contact us.
2020 Winners and Runners-Up
Emerging Writers
Winner
- Alvin P. Johnson, San Diego Public Library. Alvin wrote to John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, authors of March. Read the letter.
Runners-Up
- Marisela Casillas, A.K. Smiley Public Library (Redlands). Marisela wrote to Paul Fleischman, author of Seedfolks. Read the letter.
- Lora Mobley, San Diego Public Library. Lora wrote to Chief Dan George, author of My Spirit Soars. Read the letter. Read the letter.
Beginning Writers
Winner
- Wendy Garcia, Oceanside Public Library. Wendy wrote to Karen Levine, author of Hana’s Suitcase. Read the letter.
Runners-Up
- Maria Hernandez, A.K. Smiley Public Library (Redlands). Maria wrote to Stephanie McPherson, author of Peace and Bread: The Story of Jane Addams. Read the Letter.
- Feri Robatian, Newport Beach Public Library. Feri wrote to Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret. Read the Letter. Read the letter.
Intermediate Writers
Winner
- Mariana Dobrev, Santa Monica Public Library. Mariana wrote to Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street. Read the letter.
Runners-Up
- German Nunez, Los Angeles Public Library. German wrote to Octavia Butler, author of Kindred. Read the letter.
- Tanya Jauregui, A.K. Smiley Public Library (Redlands). Tanya wrote to Michelle Obama, author of Becoming. Read the letter.
Advanced Writers
Winner
- Sarah Kim, Newport Beach Public Library. Sarah wrote to Suzy Hopkins and Hallie Bateman, authors of What to Do When I’m Gone. Read the letter.
Runners-Up
- JJ Boon, Santa Monica Public Library. JJ write to Rachel Hollis, author of Girl, Wash Your Face. Read the letter.
- Petranila Hettiarachchi, Chula Vista Public Library. Petranila write to Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing. Read the letter.