The SUA Slovenian Literary Award

The Slovenian Union of America Literary Award Committee is delighted to announce our 2022 winner: Leaving Home in 1913 by Amy Fradel.
     

Amy Fradel ’s grandparents emigrated from Primorska in 1913. Encouraged by her grandmother, in 1977 Amy made her first visit to the home where her great uncle’s descendants still reside. Later in life she inherited hundreds of letters and photos that are also of interest to the family in the now independent Slovenia. This short story is the introduction to a family saga from 1913 to 1961 based on her grandmother’s letters.
     

In 1913, John Fradel left Povžane to cut trees in West Virginia with the idea that he would return in two or three years, not knowing that his girlfriend was pregnant. Using letters, family stories, visits to family in Slovenia, and historical research on both sides of the ocean, an intimate story of John and Mary, their families, their departure, and their first year in Cass, West Virginia is told.  

Submissions for the 2022 Slovenian Literary Award are closed.  The link to the winning 2022 entry is on this page along with links to past winners.  

The SUA Literary Award recognizes and promotes writers of Slovenian heritage. The award is open to both first time writers, as well as published authors.
 

For nearly a century, the Slovenian Union of America has been dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Slovenian ancestry of its members. Writing has been a formative part of the Slovene heritage, and the SUA Slovenian Literary Award acknowledges those who continue this vital tradition. 
 

Submissions for the 2023 SUA Literary Award will be accepted later in 2022. 

Please check back later this year for submission dates. 

Here are some details regarding submissions: 

• All genres of creative writing will be considered - 

Short Stories, Novels, Speeches, Personal Essays, Memoirs, Poetry, Manuscripts, Screenplays, and Academic Work.  

• Musical compositions will not be considered.  • The award is not limited to English; both English and Slovene will be accepted.  

• Works are judged on quality by a panel of writers and a committee.  

• Applicants may live anywhere but must be of Slovenian heritage.  

• Individual writers only (no groups) with up to three submissions per writer.  

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.  

• Membership in SUA is not required. 

For Press inquiries please contact: slovenianliteraryaward@gmail.com