New Orleans has long been a city of stories, and the Patty Friedmann Writing Competition Reading is proof that the literary community here is alive and thriving. Hosted by One Book One New Orleans, the event will take place on Friday, November 22, at the André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice. This annual celebration highlights the winners and runners-up of the Words and Music Writing Competition, an initiative associated with the November Words and Music Writers’ Conference.
About the Competition
Each spring, the Peauxdunque Review opens submissions for the Words and Music Writing Competition. This prestigious contest spans multiple categories, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, public high school short story, and the “Beyond the Bars” category for incarcerated juveniles.
Winners in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction receive $750 and admission to all Words and Music conference events, while public high school winners and Beyond the Bars winners receive $500 and conference admission. Runners-up and honorable mentions are also recognized with conference access and publication opportunities in the Peauxdunque Review.
This competition not only honors emerging and established writers but also ensures that voices from all walks of life are celebrated and amplified.
Who is Patty Friedmann?
The competition is named after acclaimed New Orleans novelist Patty Friedmann, who has been called “the greatest New Orleans writer of the last quarter century.” Friedmann’s extensive body of work includes more than a dozen novels, such as Eleanor Rushing and Secondhand Smoke, and has earned her numerous awards, including the ALIHOT Award from the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society. Her writing captures the wit, complexity, and humanity of Southern life, making her a perfect namesake for this literary celebration.
Meet the Readers
This year’s event will feature powerful voices, including:
- Nick, a creative writing junior inspired by Anne Rice, Stephen King, and Oscar Wilde, whose work reflects his love for storytelling and the written word.
- Doc McLemore (they/them), whose forthcoming book Consequences of My Birth explores gender, sexuality, and relationships.
- Nick Reading, an award-winning author with work in publications like New Ohio Review and Mid-American Review.
- Ida Schenck, a high school senior whose writing tackles climate change and the complexities of modern life.
- Judy Lea Steele, an interdisciplinary poet and playwright whose innovative work bridges poetry, multimedia, and performance.
Why This Event Matters
The Patty Friedmann Writing Competition and its associated reading are more than just literary events—they’re a celebration of the stories that connect us. For writers, it’s a platform to share their work and gain recognition. For readers, it’s an opportunity to witness the transformative power of storytelling.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a lover of literature, or someone looking to be inspired, this event is a must-attend.
Event Details
📅 Date & Time: Friday, November 22, 12:15 – 1:45 PM CST
📍 Location: André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice, 2541 Bayou Road, New Orleans, LA 70119
Celebrate the magic of words, honor the winners, and discover the talent that makes New Orleans a literary haven. Don’t miss this inspiring afternoon!
For more information visit https://wordsandmusic.org/
Dat NOLA Chic 