For lovers of literature, storytelling, and the power of words, the Marblehead Festival of Arts’ popular Literary Festival returned with a bang this year.
The winners of the annual literary contest took center stage to read their award-winning works.
The contest is a cornerstone of the festival, spotlighting both emerging and experienced voices across categories like fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and student writing.
The festival also celebrates Marblehead’s thriving youth writing community. Student writers were among the many voices recognized during this year’s contest, including several who shared their inspiration and passion for storytelling.
This year’s slate of presenters reflects an impressive range of talent and disciplines.
“I took a lot of inspiration from ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,’” said Nico King-Mahan, whose historical fiction submission “Boy Named Alice” earned second place in Student Fiction.
King-Mahan, who has placed in the competition three times, expressed excitement for the recognition and what lies ahead. “I love writing, and I’d love to do it as a job — it’s the most fun thing I could ever do.”
King-Mahan is headed to New York City this summer to take creative writing classes at The New York Times, further honing their skills.
First place in Student Fiction went to Benji Boyd, whose ocean-inspired story explored a complicated relationship with the sea.
“I was thinking, ‘Okay, I’m entering a piece in the Marblehead writing contest, and everyone here loves the ocean so much,’” Boyd explained. “But I don’t really like the ocean, so I thought I’d play on that and write about feelings toward the ocean throughout my life — but fictionalized.”
Boyd, a recent graduate, previously earned second place in the poetry category and was excited to explore fiction for the first time.
The second place winner for Student Non-Fiction was rising 7th grader Rania Kemmich for her “Esperanza Rising” essay.
Originally written for a class assignment, Kemmich said the book “Esperanza Rising” inspired her.
She said presenting in front of the crowd was “exciting but nerve-wracking.”
Festival Chair Margo Steiner, a longtime leader of the event, praised both the quality of the entries and the excitement surrounding this year’s expanded programming. “I’ve done this many times in the past, but it’s always fun,” Steiner said. “I love listening to people read, especially young people — they’re so talented.”
From captivating readings to new storytelling formats, the Literary Festival hosted four days of creativity, reflection, and celebration of the written word.
New to the festival this year was an event inspired by NPR’s popular Moth Radio Hour, inviting community members to share true stories, live and without notes, in front of an audience. The unscripted format hosted moments of humor, vulnerability, and connection as locals stepped up to the mic to share personal experiences.
Running from Wednesday, July 2 through Saturday, July 5, the Literary Festival offered a full schedule of author talks, workshops, writer interviews, and participatory events that celebrate how words can depict humor, pathos, joy, conflict, and everything in between.
Most programs took place at the Unitarian Universalist Church and the Marblehead Arts Association.
All winning entries will be available to read throughout the festival in the library at the rear of the Unitarian church.
The winners are –
Student Non-Fiction
First place: Matthew Sherf, “Boston Strong”
Second place: Rania Kemmich, “Esperanza Rising”
Honorable Mention: Lily Panza, “Skiing”
Student Fiction
First place: Benji Boyd, “Absurd Waves”
Second place: Nico King-Mahan, “Boy Named Alice”
Honorable Mention: Adelaide Barker, “Riding on the Edge”
Student Poetry
First place: Adelaide Barker, “Darkness for a Week”
Second place: Niamh Kelley, “5 Mt. Vernon Street”
Honorable mention: Adelaide Barker, “Josephine”
Adult Non-Fiction
First place: Bobbie Wayne, “Resurrecting Tess”
Second place: Jane Korins, “The Tin Man”
Honorable Mention: Bobbie Wayne, “Rooftop Rhapsody”
Adult Fiction
First Place: Kristin Coppola, “Return to Ocean Point—1890”
Second place: Patricia Striar Rohner, “The Man in the Kosher Butcher”
Honorable Mention: Isabella Miller, “Chapter XX”
Adult Poetry
First place: Linda Flaherty Haltmaier, “Coffee and Wonder”
Second place: Jill Clemmer, “Ode to Summer Sonnet”
Honorable mention: Naoum Rogers, “Mother’s Day”
