Blood Ink Crime Writing Competition

iStock_000016953629XSmall.jpgFirstly I'd like to say what an honour it has been to judge these entries, all of which had interesting, thought-provoking and downright chilling stories to tell.  I'm keeping the light on, now! Yes, there were themes that were shocking - almost unbearably so - yet for me, it was those more subtle deceits and unravellings that lingered longest in the mind. I'll come clean - I was looking for originality. For a strong opening and convincing narrative voice. A gripping, believable read without excess padding, a sense of place and a satisfying resolution. The biggest 'twist' isn't always the best, but endings should carry an element of surprise. The winners, runners-up and Highly Commended entries had it all.

I admit I was frustrated by the left-justify format on so many entries, also the small font and single-spacing which made reading more of a strain. Most agents / editors won't accept less than double-spacing, and often not less than a size 12 font. Many of the stories, although pacy and taut, could have given me more of sense of where the story was set. What time of year? What lay beyond the window....In these instances, they almost read more like scripts. I would urge all potential entrants for the next Blood Ink Crime Writing Competition to read recently-published crime fiction. (Even Raymond Chandler - the master of brevity - gives us small, but perfectly-formed descriptions of people and places).

That said, I believe that with the standard of writing shown in this competition, the future looks good for the crime fiction short story. Good luck everyone, and keep your fires burning!

Sally Spedding
Judge

 

The winners of the 2011 Blood Ink Crime Writing Competition are:

First Place:

Red Rules by James McKinty


Second Place:

Soo and the Last Trick of All by Dee Turbon

Third Place:

The Cultivation of Plants by Anne Youngson


Runners-Up:

The Trace of Her Scar by Sarah Baxter

One Picture Too Many by Alan Coley

Colin's Dad by Michael Yates

Putrefaction Guaranteed by Carla Leach

The Run Through by Susan Lutner

Advice for Young Gentlemen Illustrators by Jennifer Thorp

Day of Reckoning by Ruth Dugdall

The Glass House by Shirley Golden

Dog Eat Dog by M. K. O' Brian

Last Chance Saloon by Ralph Jackman


Highly Recommended:

The Home Coming by Allan Parkes

Inheritance Taxes by Wanda Caulfield

Ant by Edward Marriott

The Contractor by Sanjay Chopra

An Unsolvable Murder by Rebecca Milford


Submissions for the next Blood Ink Crime Writing Competition will be accepted from Friday 1 February 2013 and the deadline for entries is at midnight on Saturday 1 June 2013.