Canadian songwriter Carmel Mikol (pictured here) of Halifax, Nova Scotia captured first place in the contemporary acoustic/folk category of the 11th Annual Great American Song Contest. Winners in nine categories were recently named in the competition that drew more than 1,500 entries. The Cape Breton-born artist was recognized for “In My Bones,” the title track of her new album that is due out next week.

In addition to Mikol, the following individuals were recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting in the Contemporary Acoustic/Folk category: Chris Kelly (Portland, Oregon) for “The Girl From Ketchikan;” Peter Grimaldi (Modesto, California) for “Family Bayou;” Liz Mitchell (Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts) for “My Bags Are Packed for France;” and Barbara Wilkinson & Sonya Wood (Vicksburg, Mississippi) for “Bitterweeds.”

Finalists in the Contemporary Acoustic/Folk category included: Marc Bridge (Westborough, Massachusetts) for “I Googled You,” John Nicholas (East Falmouth, Massachusetts) for “America, It’s You;” Kelly O’Malley (Boston, Massachusetts) for “Black Ice;” Mark Stepakoff (Boston, Massachusetts) for “Worst Kept Secret;” Rob Heath (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) for “One More Day Above Ground;” Johnsmith (Trempealeau, Wisconsin) for “Juni Rea;” Geoff Oelsner (Fayetteville, Arkansas) for “Black Mountain;” Sharif El-Mahdi (North Hollywood, California) for “Another Wasted Rose;” Jeff Krantz (New York, New York) for both “Wasteland” and “The Ghost;” Michael Logen (Nashville, Tennessee) for “Mystery;” Barry Crannell (Portland, Oregon) for “That’s What I Do;” Paper Thick Walls (Chicago, Illinois) for “A Thousand Novels;” Lorina & Hannah Harding (Geraldine, New Zealand – Lorina is Canadian) for “Exactly What To Say;” Robyn Landis & Larry Murante (Vashon, Washington) for “Paul’s Song;” Kevin Higgins (Austin, Texas) for “Curtains;” Patrick Nagel (Ukiah, California) for “Nobody Left to Blame;” Truman & Willie Morrison (Washington, D.C.) for “Gateway to My Heaven;” Lori Diamond (Northboro, Massachusetts) for Mystery;” Justin B. Fawsitt (Oakland, California) for “Wishful Heart;” John Buckvold (Chicago, Illinois) for “Apple River;” and Dave Gunning & James Keelaghan (Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada) for “Before the Morning Sun.”

Sponsored by the Songwriters Resource Network, the Great American Song Contest is open to amateur and semi-professional songwriters whose entries are evaluated by music industry professionals based on the song, not the performance or quality of the recording. Criteria used in judging include creative and engaging lyrics, effective and memorable melodies, and the overall success of the songwriting technique.