1st Place, 2012 Writers-Editors Network Annual International Writing Competition “Earning Our Turns,” Vermont Magazine – excellent writing: entertains while it informs: writer understands the music of language and plays it well.
1st Place winning essay in Writing It Real’s Fall, 2010 Contest.“In her essay, ‘Earning Our Turns,’ Alessandra Bianchi takes the reader with her on a ski trip via minute details, both interior and exterior. The snow, the cold, the whiteness of the experience combine with observations on the twists and turns of a marriage. The piece is focused and engaging.”
— Ellie Mathews, Writing it Real Judge
I loved Alessandra Bianchi Herman ’86’s poem (Contest Summer 2017)–the sort of poem The New Yorker used to publish when it still had pretensions to being a serious literary magazine. The poem makes a worthy companion piece to James Merrill ’47’s poem about the RCA Victor album cover dog.
— Jon Pierce ’67, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
“Great job! Really interesting story, lively writing, no questions. I’ll send a long a layout soon for FYI and proofing! No answers on other any pending stuff, but just wanted to pass along praise/appreciation.
Great job.
— Kathleen James, Editor, Vermont Magazine
“I would also be open to having you write about something entirely different if you’d like—I was so pleased with how tight your last piece came in, that you pretty much have carte blanche to explore whatever topics you like.”
— Ed Winchester, Editor, Rowing News
“Well, that was easy! It’s great. You write beautifully. I like the reportorial style very much. It has exactly the right level of objectivity. Thanks so much, Alessandra. I can’t wait to give you another assignment.”
— Darla Hastings, Chief Marketing Officer, Dimensional Fund Advisors
“You’re awesome. I know you’ve already gone above and beyond the call of duty. Our team absolutely LOVED your service piece when we reviewed it together (uncut). It is pretty rare to have such rave reviews!”
– Nancy Branka, Managing Editor, Executive Travel