Clayton Hutcheson, a talented and accomplished writer, was recently announced as a winner in the esteemed Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA). Hosted annually by the Florida Writers Association, RPLA is a highly regarded writing competition that celebrates excellence in writing across more than 20 genre categories for adults and five for youth. This recognition is a testament to Hutcheson’s exceptional work and dedication to his craft.
The Royal Palm Literary Awards stands as a pinnacle of achievement in the writing community, offering a platform for writers to showcase their literary works and gain valuable recognition. The competition is exclusive to members of the Florida Writers Association, a vibrant community of writers and other industry professionals committed to fostering literary excellence.
With a rigorous judging process, RPLA provides all entrants with constructive written assessments, fostering growth and development within the writing community. Winners like Hutcheson represent the best of the best, demonstrating an exceptional level of creativity, storytelling and craft.
Hutcheson’s work, A Lunchtime Indiscretion, was an entry in the Flash Fiction or Short Story Fiction category and scored the most points from judges among several other prestigious and esteemed writers. The story is about four high school students up to mischief on their lunch hour, but their plans backfire.
“A huge amount of credit goes to my local writing group, Royal Palm Writers, meeting twice a month at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center,” Hutcheson said. “They inspire and challenge me. My thanks to the group. Their 2024 issue of Spectrum, a compilation of the group’s outstanding writing, is available on Amazon.”
As the literary world applauds this outstanding achievement, Hutcheson remains an inspiration to fellow writers, embodying the spirit of excellence in storytelling. The Royal Palm Literary Awards, now in their 22nd year, continue to shine a spotlight on the very best in the world of literature, and Mr. Hutcheson’s victory exemplifies the pinnacle of this art form.
Born in Tampa and raised on a ranch in his early years, Hutcheson has an appreciation for Florida as it once was and as it is today. After serving four years in the U. S. Air Force and meeting his wife of 64 years on a blind date, life hasn’t been the same. He searches for humor under rocks, on the roadside or in his marriage. A bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Florida led him to be a faculty member of that institution for 34 years. Serious writing has never been his goal; depraved and interesting humor has. He and his wife, Ann, have two daughters, five grandchildren and three great-grandsons.
For more information about the Royal Palm Literary Awards and the Florida Writers Association, visit www.floridawriters.org.
