The Friends of the Orinda Library announced the winners of the 2026 Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest, named in honor of the late Poul Anderson, a popular science-fiction writer and Orinda resident. This annual contest has encouraged many students to continue their interest in writing and to pursue successful careers as authors and journalists.

    Entry Categories were Science Fiction/Fantasy, Essay/Memoir/Biography, and Poetry and Short Story. This year’s winners are Ayan Mohapatra of Bentley Upper School, Short Story, “Tomato Juice;” Vinny Yu of Miramonte High School, Short Story, “The Bearer of Dreams;” Tildyn Andres of Miramonte High School, Short Story, “Medic 12: Moscow, Vermont;” and Serena Scheiner of Miramonte High School, Poetry, “Grief in California.”

    There were also four Honorable Mention awards, which went to: Carol Zhang of Miramonte High School, “Poem #18-My Kindle;” Jay Sandhu of Miramonte High School, Science Fiction, “Alien Discovery in New Mexico;” Nina Segall of Miramonte High School, Essay, “From Bud to Bloom;” and Jamie Goldstein of Holden High School, Short Story, “The Gas Station.”

    Entries were judged by a panel of local judges including Susan Williams, librarian at Miramonte High School, Anne Lowell, librarian at Glorietta School, Sora O’Doherty, reporter at The Lamorinda Weekly, and Sally Hogarty, former editor of The Orinda News.

    The four winners each were awarded $500 and those awarded honorable mention received $150 each, underwritten by the Friends of the Orinda Library. The winning entries will be posted on the Friends’ website https://www.friendsoftheorindalibrary.org and inside the Orinda Library facility, for all to enjoy.