South Carolina Creative Sociology Writing Competition

The 2025 South Carolina Creative Sociology Writing Competition received 36 entries of short-fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction from students at 14 different universities and colleges across the state. This year, students were encouraged to write inspiring pieces that combine The Sociological Imagination with the craft of creative writing to explore the theme: Family Matters.

The Sociological Imagination—a perspective that places ‘individual troubles’ and ‘personal problems’ within the context of broader public issues—is the cornerstone of all sociological coursework and scholarship. The purpose of this contest is to encourage the practice of a more public, interdisciplinary sociology and to make The Sociological Imagination accessible, relevant, and engaging to a wider audience. Moreover, its purpose is to demonstrate the intersection of academic and creative thinking in ways that forge micro-macro connections and cultivate empathy within participants and readers. 

This contest was funded by CCU’s Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences, CCU’s Social Justice Research Initiative, and by South Carolina Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information about the sponsors and the contest, please see: https://www.coastal.edu/soc/creativesoc/

First Place

“The Paper Rabbit,” fiction by Kristen Huynh of Clemson University

Second Place

“Night Crawler,” fiction by Sarai M. Winkler of Clemson University

Third Place

“Thread for the Quilt,” fiction by Reed Tanner of Clemson University