Yonah Literary Review Winners present their Works at reading at Truett McConnell University

By Mae Sullens, Copywriter in the Marketing & Communications Department at Truett McConnell University

Truett McConnell University reports the winners of this year’s annual writing competition gathered on April 14th, 2025 to read their works from the Yonah Literary Review. Faculty from TMU’s College of Arts and Letters, family, and friends joined winners in The Nightly, TMU’s coffee shop, as they read their award-winning works. The crowd both chuckled and grew teary-eyed during the readings as the authors shared their works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. This year’s winners were selected from a pool of nearly 70 entries. 

“This was an excellent opportunity to experience the creative work of the students.  Each ably demonstrated their God-given talents.  We look forward to celebrating their future endeavors,” stated Dr. Michael Justus, Chair of the Conrad Grebel School of Humanities. 

Yonah Literary Review Winner List:

Cover Art

“Sunset on the Home Range” by Michael Bowen 

Fiction 

  1. “The Legend of Woodbine Falls” by Michael Bowen 
  2. “South Carolina Sunbeam” by Mae L. Sullens 
  3. “The Sixteenth Page” by Darci Snode 

Non-Fiction

  1. “Blue Eyes, Blue Truck” by Mae L. Sullens 
  2. “Trooper” by Betsy A. Wade 
  3. “Clackmas County” by Samantha Smith 

Poetry 

  1. “Composed at the Base of Yonah, February 7, 2025” by Mae L. Sullens
  2. “Mary’s Boy” by Ava Barnett 
  3. “An Ode to Grief” by Michael Bowen

“I enjoy working on the Yonah Literary Review because we have a great deal of talent at TMU. Each year, we receive a wide variety of submissions. Reading through the various pieces is a challenge; there are many excellent pieces,” noted Professor Cassandra Golden, assistant professor of English at TMU, “Narrowing down to just three means that some outstanding works are put aside. That is a testament to both the skill of our writers and the quality of our educational process. This year’s submissions provide a variety of styles and are excellent additions to the 2025 Review.”

Truett McConnell University is a private Christian liberal arts and sciences university located in Cleveland, Georgia, and has been ranked by Best Value Schools as the #1 Christian College in Georgia. TMU offers 80+ different programs of study including baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The University boasts a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio while 100% of incoming students receive financial aid. For more information about Truett McConnell University, visit www.truett.edu.