Glenwood Native Trent Walters Earns National Writing Recognition

An up-and-coming writer who grew up in Glenwood has been honored with a prestigious award.

Trent Walters was recognized earlier this fall at the L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards Event as a winner in the Writers of the Future Contest. As a contest winner, Walters will have a story he authored, “Soul Paper,” published in the international anthology L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 37.

The award presentation took place at a black-tie gala in Hollywood, Calif. The contest is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction.

“I am still a little stunned,” Walters said. “I’d entered  (the contest) several times so I had low expectations. At first, they called to tell us we were finalists and my scalp went numb. I simply wanted to get into the anthology. When the next call came while I was at work, my belly rumbled – nervous. That the story won was a bonus.”

Walters, who now resides in Springfield, Mo., has had a passion for writing since his childhood. His stories have appeared in multiple publications, including Fantasy Magazine and Pindeldyboz.

He’s  currently working on a novel series and revising poetry manuscripts.

“I grew up in Glenwood and returned after teaching several years in Honduras when Dad wasn’t doing so well,” he said. “So, I mostly worked 14-plus hour days, slept a little, wrote a little and took care of things the folks could not.

“Once a month, I’d meet with writer friends who encouraged me to pursue my M.F.A. in creative writing. Meanwhile, the folks moved south so I planned to stay near them.”

The relationship Walters had with his father served as an inspiration for “Soul Paper.”

“For my M.F.A., I wrote 200 pages of poems about my relationship with Dad and his passing,” Walters said.“While I let that settle, I wrote several short stories – this was among, so Dad’s passing was still on my mind. The title and image came early in the process.”

Walters had this to say when asked to give synopsis of the “Soul Paper” storyline:

“Her grandfather taught her how to create music from the soul . . . but does it come at too high a price?”

In addition to the time he spent teaching in Honduras, Walters has lived in several communities and held several jobs, doing everything from teaching science and creative writing to washing dishes, delivering liquor and stacking 60-pound bags of potatoes. No matter where he’s lived or worked, he’s always found time to write. That part of his life won’t change.

“I’m almost always working on something,” he said. “I have poems, mysteries and space operas brewing at the moment. I plan to release some short stories as e-books, probably under a pseudonym to separate my different passions.”