Neva Bryan
novelist & poet
novelist & poet
Awards and Publications
I started making my way into the writing world by entering local and regional contests. After I tucked a few awards under my belt, I got up enough nerve to submit stories and poems to some literary journals.
I encourage beginning writers to start this way. You develop a thick skin and learn to hone your craft through submissions, rejections, and acceptances.
I started making my way into the writing world by entering local and regional contests. After I tucked a few awards under my belt, I got up enough nerve to submit stories and poems to some literary journals.
I encourage beginning writers to start this way. You develop a thick skin and learn to hone your craft through submissions, rejections, and acceptances.
Short Fiction Awards
“The Pawpaw Tree.” Short Story. 2006 Explorations, MECC, Second Place.
“June.” Short Story. 2005 Lonesome Pine Short Story Contest, Second Place.
“Outhouse Lilies.” Short Story. 2003 Lost State Writers Conference, Scholarship Winner.
“Lonely Hollow.” Short Story. 2003 Sherwood Anderson Short Story Contest, Second Place.
“The Terrapin Herder.” Short-Short Story. 1995 Virginia Highlands Festival Creative Writing Contest, Third Place.
Poetry Awards
"Scream of the Butterfly." Poetry. 2009 Explorations, MECC, First Place.
"Anoint Me." Poetry. 2009 Explorations, MECC, Second Place.
"Appalachian Goddess." Poetry. 2009 Explorations, MECC, Honorable Mention.
"Wanted." Poetry. 2009 Explorations, MECC, Honorable Mention.
“Sawmill Burning.” Poetry. 2006 Appalachian Writers Association James Still Award for Poetry, Third Place.
“Autumn Sacrifice.” Poetry. 2006 Explorations, MECC, Third Place.
“Dirty Secret.” Poetry. 2006 Explorations, MECC, Honorable Mention.
“Husband.” Poetry. 2005 Explorations, MECC, First Place.
“Fickle Memory.” Poetry. 2005 Explorations, MECC, Second Place.
“Partypooper.” Poetry. 2005 Lonesome Pine Poetry Contest, Third Place.
“Lunch Hour.” Poetry. 1997 Virginia Highlands Festival Creative Writing Contest, Second Place.
Essay Publications
“A Virginia Town.” Floyd County Moonshine, (June 2009).
Short Fiction Publications
“The Devil’s Better Half.” Floyd County Moonshine, (February 2009).
“Sawmill Boys.” Appalachian Heritage, vol. 34, no. 4 (Fall 2006).
“Puttin’ Up for Hard Times.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXIV, new series vol. 8, no. 1 (Spring 2005).
Poetry Publications
"Scream of the Butterfly." We All Live Downstream: writings about mountaintop removal, edited by Jason Howard, Louisville: Motes Books, 2009.
"Snow Day." The Distillery, vol. XV, no. 2 (January 2009).
"Vast Mysteries." A! Magazine for the Arts, vol. 15, no. 4. (April 2008), on-line.
"Nothing Much." A! Magazine for the Arts, vol. 15, no. 4. (April 2008), on-line.
"Appalachia Man: Can You Dig It?" A! Magazine for the Arts, vol. 15, no. 4. (April 2008), print.
"Moving Grundy." Bluestone Review (Spring 2008).
"Old Logging Road." Bluestone Review (Spring 2008).
“Where I’m From.” Bluestone Review (Spring 2007).
“Wise County Man.” Bluestone Review (Spring 2007).
“Firing Squad.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXVI, new series vol. 10, no. 1 (Spring 2007).
“Sumac.” Clinch Mountain Review (2006).
“October.” Clinch Mountain Review (2006).
“Housecleaning.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXV, new series vol. 9, no. 2 (Fall 2006).
“Sawmill Burning.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXV, new series vol. 9, no. 2 (Fall 2006).
“Seven Year Itch.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXV, new series vol. 9, no. 2 (Fall 2006).
“Stings.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXV, new series vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 2006).
“Strawberry Season.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXV, new series vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 2006).
“Green Onions.” Appalachian Journal: A regional studies review, vol. 33, no. 1 (Fall 2005).
“Blacksnake.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXIV, new series vol. 8, no. 2 (Fall 2005).
“Your Body is My Appalachia,” Jimson Weed, vol. XXIV, new series vol. 8, no. 2 (Fall 2005).
“Pushing Forty.” Jimson Weed, vol. XXIV, new series vol. 8, no. 2 (Fall 2005).