Dunes Review

The Dunes Review Writing Project was launched in 1996 by local poet, playwright, and writing teacher, Anne-Marie Oomen. The magazine's key early focus was on promoting regional writing and raising awareness about Northern Michigan writers, as well as utilizing art by local artists for its cover.^[8] It was originally sponsored by the Glen Arbor Arts Association and the Traverse City Arts Council with the financial support of a mini-grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.^[8] Their first issue was published in the spring of 1997.^[9]

In 2002, there was a transition in management. The Glen Arbor Art Association began to share financial, advisory, and publication responsibilities with Michigan Writers (Traverse City).^[10] Today, the magazine focuses not only on the best local writers, but also regional and national writers.^[11][12]

• Jim Daniels, poet and Brittingham Prize in Poetry recipient.^[13][14]
• Nancy Eimers, poet and Whiting Writers' Award recipient.^[15]
• Allison Leigh Peters, poet and University of Michigan Academy of American Poets Prize (undergrad) recipient.^[14][16][17]
• Jack Ridl, poet and Gary Gildner Award recipient.^[14][18]
• Teresa Scollon, poet and National Endowment for the Arts Grant for Literature recipient.^[13][14][19]
• Diane Seuss, poet and Juniper Prize recipient.^[4][13][14]
• Alison Swan, poet/essayist and Heekin Prize finalist.^[3][14][20]

The magazine has held four distinct contests:

• The "Anne-Marie Oomen Poetry Prize" (2003–2006), an annual contest held for high school students.
• The "Leelanau Poetry Prize" (1997–2001), an annual poetry contest.
• The "William J. Shaw Memorial Prize for Poetry" (1997–present), an annual contest named for a professor of the literary arts from Northwestern Michigan College.^{[1][5][6][21]}
• The "Youth Poetry Prize" (1997–2001), a poetry contest for poets under 18 years old.