Poets & Writers Congratulates 2008 Writers Exchange Winner Sandra Beasley

Sandra Beasley, a writer from Washington, D.C. and the winner of the 2008 Writers Exchange Award in the poetry category, will have her book Don’t Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life published by Crown Publishing Group. Beasley traveled to New York City in October of 2008 to meet with top literary professionals, including agents, editors, publishers, and writers. It was on that trip to New York that Beasley met with agent Glen Hartley, who sold her book to Crown.

"I give huge credit for this opporunity to the 2008 Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award. As a Washington, D.C. based poet, under no other circumstances would I have had the chance to not only meet Glen Hartley of Writers' Representatives, but to have the kind of relaxed, meandering conversation that led to this nonfiction book proposal. The award literally opened the door for me to commercial publishing in New York. This award has changed my life," said Beasley.

Established in 1984, the Writers Exchange Award provides writers with significant opportunities for professional advancement. Each year, writers from a new state are invited to submit their work according to announced contest guidelines. Outside judges choose one poet and one fiction writer for this prize. The award is named for Maureen Egen, retired Deputy Chairman and Publisher, Hachette Book Group USA.