I’ve been musing recently on writing competitions. I’ve entered a selection over the years, and been lucky enough to be short-listed, long-listed, and even to win prizes. I’d recommend anyone getting serious about their writing to enter their work. Sticking to a word count is a great goal, as is the need to edit rigorously and to meet a competition deadline. The bonus? Many short story competitions not only raise your profile, should you be listed, but also publish great-looking anthologies. Having your work read, judged and taken seriously, particularly if the final judges are literary agents or published writers, is a real confidence booster. And if you don’t succeed? There are many competitions out there, so try, try and try again …
3rd Prize Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2019
The Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2019 anthology available to buy @ £8 from the bookshop
I was thrilled to be awarded 3rd Prize for the Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2019, awarded at the launch of the anthology on 21st November 2019. Most of the 12 long listed short story writers were present, as well as the writer, bookseller and project manager of the prize, Kate Ellis, and the bookshop owner, Denise Jones. We were joined by two of the judges: literary agent Emma Paterson of Aitken Alexander Associates and Kit Caless of Influx Press. The third judge was the writer Zoe Gilbert. Many congratulations to 1st Prize winner James Mitchell and 2nd Prize winner Rosanna Hildyard! It was really great to hear so many writers read an extract from their short stories. The other writers included in the anthology are: Holly Barratt, Emily Bullock, Ellen Hardy, Kerry Hood, Isha Karki, Melody Razak, T. Schroeder, Toby Wallis, and Sylvia Warren.
From left: Kate Ellis, Judith Wilson, James Mitchell, Rosanna Hildyard and Denise Jones
My short story, ‘Hot Butter on Repeat’, was inspired by the landscape of 1970s Liverpool, where I grew up. I’m often drawn back to Liverpool in my short stories. And the track that features in it - ‘Popcorn’ by Hot Butter, released in 1972 - is most definitely worth a listen!
‘Hot Butter on Repeat’ was inspired by 1970s Liverpool
The Brick Lane Bookshop at 166 Brick Lane London E1 6RU www.bricklanebookshop.org
This was the inaugural Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2019, and - with 463 entries - I felt very lucky to have my story included in the anthology (and it’s a very beautiful anthology). So thanks again to the organisers and judges, congratulations to the other writers - and now - please buy the book to discover 12 new writers! You can order it for £8 here …
1st Prize - Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition 2017
I was so delighted to hear that I've been awarded 1st Prize in the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition 2017. This year there were 650 entries from the USA and worldwide, so it was a great thrill to receive a personal email from Lorian letting me know that my story 'Welcome to Legoland' had won. She wrote:
'I absolutely loved "Welcome to Legoland" ... Your story hit me in that spot in my chest that aches when a story evokes emotion so authentically. For the 37 years of this competition I have trusted that instinct and it has yet to let me down. Such a beautifully rendered work.'
A vintage Leica camera features in the story ... which is set in 1970s Runcorn New Town.
Lorian is the Director and Final Judge of the competition - so thank you Lorian! - and to Dr Rob Merritt, also on the longtime judging panel. Congratulations to the other winners and honourable mentions, too. 'Welcome to Legoland' will be published in Cutthroat: a Journal of the Arts in Winter 2018.