Write what you know, they say. That’s what Echo Guernsey, the Library Shop SD’s newest winner of the Matchbook Story Contest, did.
The San Diegan — a licensed funeral director and death midwife committed to conservation of the natural world and environmental justice — drew on her ions with her winning story, short enough to fit inside a matchbook.
“EARTH – Mother. Born 4.543 billion years ago in Cosmos, Darkness. Beloved daughter of gravity and swirling dust and gas. Loyal mother to all life. Funeral services TBD, weather permitting. In lieu of flowers, Earth’s final wish was for peace upon her.”
Guernsey accepted her award Tuesday night at an appropriately quirky and short ceremony.
The ceremony also included an artistic interpretation of the previous year’s winner: an original rap performed by Ric Scales and Ramel Wallace, inspired by Isabella Gutierrez’s story.
The annual contest elicited more than 400 entries this year. The money raised from the entry fees was matched with a donation, as in years past, by Library Foundation SD Trustee Judith Wenker to benefit the library system.
The winning story was chosen by a judging comprised of seven former winners.
Guernsey will get her story printed on matchbooks for sale at the Library Shop, in the San Diego Central Library downtown, as well as 50 of her own matchbooks, a $50 Library Shop gift card and an exhibition of her matchbook in the Hervey Family Rare Book Room’s tiny book display.
Guernsey, who lives with her husband and canine daughter, is currently pursuing her master of fine arts degree in nature writing from Western Colorado University.
