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From Aimless to Award-Winning: Shelby Stewart's $3,500 First Place Fiction Win
by Writing Workshops Staff
19 hours ago

When Shelby Stewart sat down to write her short story "Going and Going and Going," she brought with her something invaluable: the confidence and craft skills honed during her time at WritingWorkshops.com. That investment paid off in a remarkable way—her story just won first place in the prestigious 2025 Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest, earning her a $3,500 prize and the recognition every writer dreams of.
"Before taking the workshop, my writing life was aimless and lacking confidence," Shelby admits, "but now I have stronger conviction and confidence that I'm a strong writer who has something to say."
Finding Her Voice in Dublin
Shelby's transformation began at our Writing Workshop in Dublin, Ireland, where she studied with instructor Christine Pride. The weeklong intensive proved to be exactly what she needed. "Christine Pride made sure we focused not just on our writing fundamentals—inciting incidents, etc.—but also on our readers, as we'll only be successful if we can publish and sell our work," Shelby recalls.
That balance between craft and career became a turning point. By day, Shelby works as a product director in mental health tech, but by night, she's an award-winning writer with a Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars degree who dreams of returning to writing full-time. The Dublin workshop gave her the tools to bridge those two worlds.
Building a Writing Career, Class by Class
Shelby didn't stop with Dublin. She continued developing her skills through additional WritingWorkshops.com seminars, including Think Like a Content Creator: Social Media for Authors with Sanibel Lazar and Be Your Own Publicist: How to Promote Your Writing with Tawny Lara.
"The ability to get together with other writers and focus on our craft and get extended feedback" was what Shelby valued most about her workshop experience. That community support became her secret weapon during challenging writing moments. "Crying? Honestly, taking time away and returning when my brain is fresh," she says with characteristic humor. "To ensure I don't completely abandon my work, sometimes I'll turn to another project, write fanfic to bring the fun back, or read/watch something I know will inspire me."
What's Next for This Rising Star
Shelby's already dreaming big. She's developing a fantasy series aimed at young adults or new adults that poses compelling questions: Can we come back to the light after we've reached our lowest point? In a world where magic has nearly disappeared, why are some able to rediscover it?
This first official publication marks just the beginning. With several additional short stories in progress and a novel underway, Shelby's writing journey is one to watch. You can follow her work at her website.
Her advice for writers on the fence about taking a workshop? "Try one of the smaller and more affordable ones to see what you think! I'd also take workshops with instructors you're excited about and have researched. Not every instructor will be your cup of tea."
Join Our Community of Published Writers
Shelby's success story could be your story. At WritingWorkshops.com, we're committed to helping writers move from uncertainty to publication, from isolated practice to supportive community, and from aspiring to achieving. Whether you're working on short fiction, a novel, or building your author platform, our online creative writing workshops provide the instruction, feedback, and encouragement you need to reach your goals.
Ready to transform your writing life? Explore our upcoming classes and find the workshop that's right for you.