International Short Story Competition
We are pleased to announce the winners of this year's International Short Story Competition. As usual, the team of story readers worked hard at selecting the stories that worked well on all levels, highlighting those that depicted tales that were vibrant, intriguing and exceptionally well written.
Tom Chalmers from Legend Press commented:
I was delighted to judge the short story competition this year. I was unsure and interested in what we would receive - I thought there would be a great response though you can never be certain on the direction guidelined submissions will take.
What we received was excellent - a fantastic range of stories covering a multitude of styles, angles and themes. The average quality of writing was very high with very few dipping below a highly competent mark. There were some which were enjoyable to read and others that clearly stood out as having that little bit of extra edge.
Particularly covering such a range, it was difficult to choose winners and on a different day I could have swayed differently. But we really liked the ones we chose for winning places and are confident they each offer something very special.
Tom has kindly agreed to judge next year's competition. This is another opportunity to impress him with imaginative and original pieces of work. Writing is a craft that improves with editing until a story is not only fine tuned but has the effort of being seamlessly put together. Every word has its place, with descriptions that are vivid and relevant and where characters are believable and easy to engage with. It is always a pleasure to read work that proves that the short story is infinitely a force that holds its own besides the literary hard backs.
And so, without further ado, we announce this year's winners as:
The Winners
First Place: The Shed by Robert Grossmith
Second Place: Witness by Mary Colvin
Third Place: After the Storm by Catriona Graham
Runners Up
After Chuck by Polly Moyer
Close But Not Warm by Joan Osbaldeston
Mere Mortals by Jacqueline Ley
The Gloaming by Ginny Baily
Olympia by Helen Kitson
Flotsam by Beverley Sims
The Weather in Britain by Heidi Gilhooly
Somebody's Dog by Elissa Palser
Ivory Apples by Sophie Coulombeau
The Sea-Maid Speaks by Amanda Block
Highly Recommended
Dreams of Home by Sue Haigh
The Ugly Duckling by Siobhan Brewood-Wyatt
The Alchemy of Ruby by Cheryl Fitzell
Going West by Aydin Mehmet Ali
The Ruler of Rafah by Shupaula Dass
Honourable Mention
Ha Ha Ha by Joan Osbaldeston
Judgement Day by Claire Cowling
The First Time by Samantha Loggie
Submissions are accepted for the International Short Story Competition 2010 from Tuesday 1 September 2009.
For more information or enquiries, please contact us or call us direct on 0845 456 5364. Written enquiries should be sent to Chapter One Promotions, 19-35 Sylvan Grove, London, SE15 1PD, England.