Since 2014, the South Jersey Writers’ Group has presented two awards to select members. The Awards are presented with a cash award.

In 2022, the SJWG Board voted to create an award in memory of longtime member Glenn E. Walker.
More about the Glenn E. Walker Memorial Award for Mentorship and Leadership can be found here.

2022 SJWG Annual Awards recap

Volunteer of the Year

The Volunteer of the Year is chosen by the Board of Directors, and recognizes a member who has contributed to the leadership of the group in some way. Running this group is no small task, and it runs the best when a lot of people take on small tasks! (Members of the Board of Directors are not eligible.)

2024 Volunteers of the Year:

Gerri Mahn
Susan Pitcher

Gerri Mahn
(Former Board Member; Craft & Conversation Host)

Susan Pitcher
(Hospitality & Meeting Host)

Past Honorees:

2023: Alyssa Maurer (Newsletter Editor)

2022: A.J. Charles (Social Media Coordinator, Collingswood Book Festival)

2021: Vince Sparks (Social Media Coordinator)

2020: Jack Kassabian (Critique Group and Open Mic host)

2019: Tom Minder (Meeting logistics)

  • Honorary Member Volunteer: Gary Radin (event and tech support)

2018: Dawn Byrne (Critique Group/Liars Club coordinator)

2017: Erika Timar (Blogfest host)

2016: Jord Fox (Open Mic host)

2015: Laura Kaighn (Meeting logistics)

2014: Dawn Byrne (Critique Group host)

Tom Minder Volunteer of the Year 2019
Board member, Mieke Zamora-Mackay (left), presenting 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award to Tom Minder.

Writer of the Year

The Writer of the Year is chosen based on nominations by SJWG membership, honoring a member who has inspired and led writers, through their advice, participation, and the development of their writing career over the past year. Nominations open in early November.

2024 Writer of the Year:

Hannah Jordan

Hannah Jordan

Author of the Peace Falls series

Past Honorees:

2023: Susan Rosenbluth

2022: James Carpenter

2021: Cassandra Ulrich

2020: Sharyn Konyak & Jack Kassabian – Flash Fiction Contest Winners

2019: Dawn Byrne

2018: Cassandra Ulrich

2017: Tom Minder

2016: Gail Priest

2015: Jennifer M. Eaton

2014: Marie Gilbert

DualHeadShots
Sharyn Konyak and Jack Kassabian,
Winners of the 2020 Flash Fiction Contest

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