Loekie Morales
PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten author of children’s books Loekie Morales was surprised by some very good news on Friday afternoon, when she was notified by National Library of Curaçao Biblioteka Nashonal Kòrsou’ that her story “Ghosts in the Octagon” was among the stories and poems selected for a gift book that will appear on the occasion of Reading Book Week “Siman di Ban Lesa” 2019.
“Our expectations have been amply exceeded by so much creativity, originality and talent from local and international writers and poets. Our judging committee was then faced with a very difficult task in making a selection. We have received a total of 24 authors and poets, 41 stories and poems. As mentioned in our earlier letter, we would select 15 stories/poems from all entries for this book,” National Library wrote in a letter to participating authors.
Entries for the book had to be between 500 and 1,250 words, portraying Curaçao in an attractive manner for visiting tourists, making them want to come back. The stories also had to include the message that the island must be kept clean for residents and tourists alike.
Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) is among various organizations sponsoring the publication of this book and Curaçao Children’s Book Week.
Because of her packed daily schedule and the nearing deadline, Morales initially did not have the intention to participate in the competition.
“During one of those days before the deadline, I was searching something totally different on my computer, and suddenly a story from the old box popped up. It was a story I have written in the nineties, but which back then was not selected to be one of the stories in Zonnesproetjes, my first published book. I was surprised that this story from the old box came up of a sudden. And when I read it, I knew immediately that it would perfectly fit the criteria [for the gift book – Ed.]…I adjusted the language with the writers experience I have gained over the years, and sent it to National Library of Curaçao,” Morales said.
