Left In The Field Outdoors: Kightlinger Earns Writing Awards
July 30th-
Park Inn by Radisson in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, was the location of the 70th annual Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association conference. Outdoor writers from all over the Keystone State come together to celebrate works from 2020. It was a pleasure to meet new people and enjoy the company of old friends.
The P.O.W.A has 28 different categories members can submit works for evaluation. In 2019 I was honored to win my first award for an article called "Three for Three in PA." My piece won in the Youth and the Hunting/Shooting Sports category. The sponsor of the award was the National Shooting Sports Foundation. I was honored to win the category during my first year as an active member of P.O.W.A.
The awards ceremony started at 6:oo pm with introductions of new members, the passing of the gavel to the new president, and an excellent meal. After everyone had finished their dinner, the awards ceremony began. Brad Isles, the Awards Chairman, set up the presentation and started the awards. Would any of my work be recognized?
Sitting in my seat watching the presentation, I was anxious to see if any of my pieces would garner and attention. Tyler Frantz was seated next to me, and we both caught our names in the presentation multiple times. We congratulated each other for our success and started to celebrate.
During the presentation of the awards, I earned runner-up in three categories. I could not believe my work won three awards. Here is a brief overview of the awards and the links to the pieces that earned me recognition.
Excellence In Craft Award
First Runner-Up
White-Tailed Deer Award
"Still the King"
Published in BuckMasters Magazine in November of 2020
Excellence In Craft Award
First Runner-Up
Youth and the Hunter/Shooting Sports Award
"Year of the Huntress"
Published by Global Outdoors in December 2020
Link:
https://blog.globaloutdoors.com/news/2020/12/31/year-of-the-huntress
Excellence In Craft Award
First Runner-Up
Don Hickman- Tell the Story Award
"Out the Window"
Published by the Pennsylvania Game News in April 2020
Link:
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pgc/pagamenews_202004/index.php#/p/22
Along with the recognition from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, I also earned two awards from the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association. Those accolades we presented a few weeks ago in Maryland at the M.D.O.W.A banquet.
2020 Best Outdoor Blog Award
Second Place
"Year of the Huntress"
Published by Global Outdoors in December 2020
Link:
https://blog.globaloutdoors.com/news/2020/12/31/year-of-the-huntress
2020 Herb Blackwell Memorial Award for Best Magazine or Regional Newspaper Article
Third Place
"Still the King"
Published in BuckMasters Magazine in November 2020
I am very honored to win these awards so early in my writing career. I have only been a member of P.O.W.A since 2018 and M.D.O.W.A for a year. The overwhelming support I have received from friends, family, and followers is terrific. Looking ahead to 2021, I am excited to say I have already shared some beautiful pieces of my work. Who knows what the future holds.
