Statesboro Herald writer and columnist Julie Lavender was recently named one of 12 winners of the Guideposts 2014 Writers Workshop Contest. Lavender submitted four stories for consideration and was chosen to fill one of the coveted spots for the workshop, held every other year.

Housed at the historic Wainwright House in Rye, New York, the workshop is an all-expenses-paid trip and takes place in late October. The participants of the workshop are taught by the editors and staff of Guideposts Magazine and Angels on Earth and learn how to write inspirational, first-person stories for the magazines.

Guideposts Magazine, first published in 1945, has a circulation of 2 million subscribers. Offering hope and inspiration to readers, the magazine tells stories of everyday people and celebrities.

Lavender was stunned to find out that she had been selected from more than 3,000 entries.

"I'm honored and blessed to join the Guideposts family," Lavender said. "I love to tell God-stories and I love to tell others' stories, and when those two come together, it's a winning combination."

Part of the time at the workshop will be spent critiquing and revising the participants' submissions. Even after winning the contest, not all of the submissions will make the final cut for publication in the magazine.