Denise Turney, author of the books Portia, Love Has Many Faces and Spiral (out June 2003) began the Annual Chistell Writing Contest to promote literacy and to encourage people around the world to explore their creative side. "Some of the most potent and memorable stories come from people who sit down to write for the very first time," Turney states. "The first year of the annual contest, we helped a new writer get her start. I still remember the day we announced her as a winner in the contest and her hometown newspaper contacted us. That's what I want to encourage. I want to help people begin to believe in themselves and trust their talents. It's one of the main reasons it's always been free to enter the contest." Turney realizes that there is a great likelihood this year's contest did more than gain a writer recognition. This year's winner may very likely use the monies he earned from winning the annual contest to help pay valuable family expenses - light, heat, water and food." Turney adds, "You never know where the world of reading and writing will take you. It may impact someone's life more than you could ever imagine."

Turney, author of the books Portia, Love Has Many Faces, and Spiral (a mystery set in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1940s - due out June 2003) served the United States while working on active duty in the Navy. Recipient of two Navy Achievement Medals, the author continues to choose to serve. "Through our writing contest, our newsletter The Book Lover's Haven and my radio program "Off The Shelf" on Blake Radio at www.chistell.com, we consistently share the tremendous benefits of literature and literacy. Not knowing how to read often brings embarrassment and shame to those who are illiterate; not knowing how to read greatly limits a person's ability to land a job that will empower them economically. Illiteracy creates hefty national and international costs few are willing to face. I will continue to raise my voice. The benefits of knowing how to read and enjoying good books must be shared over and over again." Because she believes in the power of literacy and written expression, Turney picks up costs involved in administering the contest that is open to a world of readers - a rainbow of writers. "Literacy is one of the most excellent gateways into a brighter future! Readers, publishers, book clubs, and educators make an incredibly rewarding investment when they encourage themselves and others to read.

Turney's work has been featured in Parade, Essence, Your Church Magazine, Indigo, The Philadelphia Tribune, The College of New Jersey Literary Review and other U.S. publications. She has gained recognition for her ability to capture real life scenarios in a manner that enthralls her audience and places them right in the shoes of her characters. Turney's first book, Portia, portrays the life of a successful defense attorney who faces the challenges of breast cancer. Her second novel, Love Has Many Faces, is a mystery set in the heart of New York City. It's the story about two women from different cultures who hurry to build a bridge of friendship in effort to avoid a certain danger. Her third novel, Spiral, is a mystery set in Memphis, Tennessee that spans three distinctive generations.

Turney has nearly 30 years of writing experience to her credit. She is the host of "Off The Shelf", a leading literary radio program on one of the Internet's largest radio stations - Blakeradio.com. "Off The Shelf was created to give the world another resource through which to enjoy and thoroughly celebrate the power of the written word! I ask listeners around the globe to sit and think about the enormous and often life-changing impact words have had on them. It is nothing short of astounding what words and story have done to the human landscape. From families, to communities to nations to the universe - story has been there." shares Turney, "I am honored to congratulate the winners in this year's Chistell Writing Contest - Shivaji Moitra for his Grand Prize Winning poem "Nostalgia" and Ribut Wijoto for his Second Place winning poem "National Dreaming".

Turney's work is featured online at http://www.chistell.com where readers can read the first chapters of her books for free.