The winners of the 2026 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition, sponsored by the Washington-Centerville Public Library, shared humorous, touching and poignant stories with contest judges, including recollections of bonding with partners through health issues, witnessing a parent’s last days and the foibles of selecting a “secure” password.
The four first-place winners received a free registration to the March 26-28 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop, $1,000 and publication of their essays online and in the workshop program. Honorable mentions received $100.
This year, the competition drew 509 entries from 45 states and 14 countries, up from the 480 submissions received in 2024. Erma’s home state of Ohio had the most entries with 94.
Pamela Chandler of West Carrollton won the local humor category with her essay Held Together. Local honorable mentions were Jessica Loughman of Galena and Shannon Szyperski of Sylvania. The finalists were Jeff Kennedy of Columbus and Tiffany Phillips of Painesville.
In the global humor category, Vivian Sade of Churubusco, Indiana, took first place with When it Comes to Passwords, I'll Pass. Angela Baldasare of Monroe, Georgia, and Judi Harrington of Medford, Massachusetts, received honorable mentions. Finalists were Meredith Besser of Los Angeles, Johanna Gohmann of Brooklyn, New York, Jack (Jacqueline) Hourigan of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and Rachel Sklar of New York.
Annmarie Kelly of Shaker Heights won the local human-interest category with her essay Birds of the World. Lisa Chiu of Solon and Alexandra Kincaid of Liberty Township were honorable mentions. Teresa Flinn Mugambi of Columbus and Katie Kenney of Dayton were finalists.
The first-place winner in the global human-interest category was Jyl Barlow of Mechanicsville, Virginia, who submitted the essay The Tiny Traveling Urn. Kay Julian of Leawood, Kansas, and Beth McCullough of Adrian, Michigan, were honorable mentions. Donna Cameron of Brier, Washington, Missy Nicholson of Greer, South Carolina, and Mona Shand of Brighton, Michigan, were finalists.
Fifty-one authors, columnists, artists, creative writing teachers, professors, screenwriters, editors, stand-up comedians and more volunteered their time to read and evaluate the essays during preliminary and second rounds of judging. Beth Macy, a Virginia-based journalist who’s a New York Times bestselling author of four books, and Betsy Bombeck, daughter of Bill and Erma Bombeck and a licensed master social worker, served as finalist judges for the human interest and humor categories, respectively.
“The essays for this year’s contest have been superb. Once they reach the final round, they are truly exceptional,” said Debe Dockins, coordinator of the biennial contest for the Washington-Centerville Public Library in partnership with the workshop. “The Erma contest is recognized as one of the leading competitions in the field, precisely because of the quality of judging, and we are honored to celebrate our hometown legend.”
Betsy Bombeck will serve as the keynote speaker for the Erma Bombeck Awards Ceremony slated for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 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 awards ceremony.