First place winner, Writer's Digest
Brian Wedlake
Brian Wedlake
"The North American Review," Fall 2023
"Hemingway Shorts"
Brian was born on July 21st, seventy five years to the day, after Ernest Hemingway. Like his literary idol, he grew up on and under and always at the edge of water.
His first publication came when he was twelve, and then again when he was nineteen years old. "The first poem was what you'd expect of a kid," he says, "but the next one...ther
Brian was born on July 21st, seventy five years to the day, after Ernest Hemingway. Like his literary idol, he grew up on and under and always at the edge of water.
His first publication came when he was twelve, and then again when he was nineteen years old. "The first poem was what you'd expect of a kid," he says, "but the next one...there was something in there that I wanted to say." That poem was written for a college writing class but the professor suggested that he enter it into a contest. "My Father Swings Again" won second place in The North American Open Poetry Contest and received an Editor's Choice Award.
After college (and a few years wandering the world as a model), Brian caught the acting bug and headed west to Hollywood. There, he worked for fourteen years in TV and film. Some of his more notable credits were in TV commercials (a sample of which can be viewed below), but when asked what he's most remembered for, he shares, "if you don't blink, and you know where to look, you can catch me on the show "Friends." It was probably my smallest role but the one people still ask me about."
Currently, he and his wife live on a 21 acre farm in Florida where they free a pair of donkeys, a flock of chickens, and two of the wildest boys in the universe.
"Hemingway Shorts"
"The North American Review," Fall 2023
"Hemingway Shorts"
The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park (EHFOP) publishes an annual literary journal through a short story contest.
HEMINGWAY SHORTS, Volume Six is a collection of short stories from new and engaged writers in the best tradition of Ernest Hemingway.
Brian's short story, "When The Sun Sets" was selected as a finalist and published in Volume Six.
"Writer's Digest"
"The North American Review," Fall 2023
"The North American Review," Fall 2023
Writer’s Digest’s is the oldest and most popular writing competition. It has been shining a spotlight on up-and-coming writers in all genres through its Annual Writing Competition for over 90 years.
"One Mourning In Moore Haven," was awarded First Place in the Inspirational/Spiritual category of the 91st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition.
"The North American Review," Fall 2023
"The North American Review," Fall 2023
"The North American Review," Fall 2023
At The North American Review we publish all forms of creativity. We like stories that start quickly and have a strong narrative. We appreciate when an essay moves beyond the personal to tell us something new about the world.
The Terry Tempest Williams Creative Nonfiction Prize is intended to recognize the finest essay writing.
Brian Wedla
At The North American Review we publish all forms of creativity. We like stories that start quickly and have a strong narrative. We appreciate when an essay moves beyond the personal to tell us something new about the world.
The Terry Tempest Williams Creative Nonfiction Prize is intended to recognize the finest essay writing.
Brian Wedlake's essay, "Swimming In Circles" was recognized as a semifinalist.
"The Master's Review"
"The Read Herring Writing Series"
"The Master's Review"
Founded by Kim Winternheimer in 2011, The Masters Review is an online and in print publication celebrating new and emerging writers. We are on the lookout for the best new talent with hopes of publishing stories from writers who will continue to produce great work.
We publish fiction and nonfiction online year round and put out an annual a
Founded by Kim Winternheimer in 2011, The Masters Review is an online and in print publication celebrating new and emerging writers. We are on the lookout for the best new talent with hopes of publishing stories from writers who will continue to produce great work.
We publish fiction and nonfiction online year round and put out an annual anthology of the ten best emerging writers in the country, judged by an expert in the field. We publish craft essays, interviews and book reviews and hold workshops that connect emerging and established writers.
EMERY'S RULE, Brian's novel in progress, was long listed (top 1% of submissions) as part of the 2022 Novel Excerpt Contest.
"Typewriter Talks"
"The Read Herring Writing Series"
"The Master's Review"
Typewriter Talks features interviews with writers, poets, and other bookish folks. It is hosted by Maureen McDole, Founder and Executive Director of Keep St. Pete Lit, which is a literary arts organization based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Brian Wedlake was interviewed by Maureen McDole, the founder and executive director of Keep St. Pete
Typewriter Talks features interviews with writers, poets, and other bookish folks. It is hosted by Maureen McDole, Founder and Executive Director of Keep St. Pete Lit, which is a literary arts organization based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Brian Wedlake was interviewed by Maureen McDole, the founder and executive director of Keep St. Pete Lit. The interview also includes a reading of "When The Sun Sets," the story he had published in Hemingway Shorts.
"The Artisan Magazine"
"The Read Herring Writing Series"
"The Read Herring Writing Series"
The Artisan Magazine is a monthly print publication that explores, reflects, celebrates and promotes creativity, the creative process, and the final “presentations” of those that help make the evolving culture of Pinellas and adjacent counties what it is and what it will be.
Follow the link below and go to the "literature" section (page 1
The Artisan Magazine is a monthly print publication that explores, reflects, celebrates and promotes creativity, the creative process, and the final “presentations” of those that help make the evolving culture of Pinellas and adjacent counties what it is and what it will be.
Follow the link below and go to the "literature" section (page 18) of the October/2023 issue. There, you can read an excerpt of Brian's novel in progress, EMERY'S RULE.
"The Read Herring Writing Series"
"The Read Herring Writing Series"
"The Read Herring Writing Series"
Tampa's premier lit-ertainment party where emerging voices meet professional writers of poetry and prose.
EMERY'S RULE
EMERY'S RULE
EMERY'S RULE
EMERY’S RULE can best be described as CRAWDADS meets "The Goonies".
When little Emery finds himself stowed away on his grandfather's sailboat, he discovers a whole new water world where pirates still exist.
A portion of the novel was recently long listed (top 1% of submissions) in the Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest.
THE LANDLORD
EMERY'S RULE
EMERY'S RULE
When David, an aspiring actor, takes a job as the landlord of a small apartment building, he's immediately befriended by the elderly couple living next door. They grow close after a neighbor dies down the hall. But something isn't sitting right. The building has a secret.
The book is to be considered literary fiction, but based upon the tr
When David, an aspiring actor, takes a job as the landlord of a small apartment building, he's immediately befriended by the elderly couple living next door. They grow close after a neighbor dies down the hall. But something isn't sitting right. The building has a secret.
The book is to be considered literary fiction, but based upon the true story of James "Whitey" Bulger's sixteen years in hiding.