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The winners of the 2024 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition, sponsored by the Washington-Centerville Public Library, touched the judges' funny bones and hearts with humorous and poignant essays ranging from a hilarious conversation between a parent and teacher in “the parent-teacher conference” to a cherished friendship that started with a pair of sandals.

The four winning writers receive a free registration to the April 4-6 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, $1,000 and publication of their essays online and in the workshop's program. Here's who topped the field of 480 entries received from six countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom and U.S.), including 48 states. Erma’s home state of Ohio led with 91 entries.

Lindsey Roth of Dayton is the winner of the Local Human-Interest category with her essay A Good Day’s Work. Lindsey won in 2022 also, and is the only two-time winner in the history of the contest. Local Honorable Mentions are Bev Potter of Seville and Margie Carroll Wehner of Yellow Springs. The Finalists are Mary Sullivan of Bay Village and Vincent O’Keefe of Lakewood.

Marcy O’Brien of Warren, Pennsylvania, took first in the Global Human-Interest category with Heart and Sole. O'Brien's work has earned Honorable Mentions twice in the past. Global Honorable Mentions include Cara McDonough of Hamden, Connecticut, and Susan Ross of Morganville, New Jersey. The Finalists are Ruth Supko Owens of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Jillian Van Hefty of Bella Vista, Arkansas.

In the Local Humor category, Aline Pusecker Taylor of Powell won first with Pride Goeth Before the Fall Parent-Teacher Conference. Local Honorable Mentions include Julie Cole of Cincinnati and Jessica Miller of Springboro. The Finalists are Nancy Mink of Loveland and Joan Harris of Huron. Harris won the 2020 Local Humor category.

Charla Schafer of Muscatine, Iowa, won the Global Humor category with Funeral Notes. Honorable Mentions include Matt Landig of Los Angeles, California, and Jennifer Ammoscato of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The Finalists are Karen Iseminger of Everett, Pennsylvania, and Annette Goggin of Cambridge City, Indiana.

It took a small village of established authors, columnists, creative writing teachers, screenwriters, editors and stand-up comedians to read and evaluate more than 230,000 words during preliminary and second rounds of judging. Bill Scheft, veteran head writer with David Letterman, and Vick Mickunas, WYSO and Cox Media book reviewer and host of “The Book Nook,” served as finalist judges for the humor and human-interest categories, respectively.

“Bill and Vick have judged the second round in previous years and independently told me how much they enjoyed serving as final judges. The quality at this level is superb, and this year’s entries seem to be the best they’ve ever been,” said Debe Dockins, who coordinates the biennial contest for the Washington-Centerville Public Library in affiliation with the workshop. “The Erma contest has established itself as one of the premier contests in the field, and we are proud to honor our hometown legend,” she said.

Betsy Bombeck, daughter of Bill and Erma Bombeck, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Erma Bombeck Celebration Evening slated for 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 3, at the Woodbourne Library (6060 Far Hills Ave.) The winners will read their essays and members of the public are invited to attend. The program is free, but registration is required as seating is limited. Refreshments will be served.

Washington-Centerville Public Library is committed to providing programs, services and facilities that ensure inclusive and adapted access for all. Please contact the library for a personalized approach to individual accommodation. For more information about the event or to register for the program, click here. Contact Debe Dockins at ddockins@wclibrary.info with questions about the contest or the Erma Bombeck Celebration Evening.