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Write Space ‘Della Galton’ Short Story Competition
“Moving On”
The Prizewinning Stories are Here
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Write Space ‘Della Galton’ Short Story Competition
“Moving On” - Results
There were 201 entries in this competition – well done to the prize winners and everyone who entered.
1st Christine Griffin, Hucclecote, Glos.
The Road Ahead.
2nd Sandy Neville, Verwood Dorset.
Things You Should Know About Henry.
3rd Julie Ann Lee, Bromley.
The Personal Touch.
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Highly Commended
Emily Benet, London. www.emilybenet.com.
Conchita and the Mating Pigeons.
Judy Hodson, Herne Bay, Kent.
A Kind of Magic.
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Shortlisted Entries
Joanna Campbell, Bisley, Glos.
Aurora And The Book Trolley.
Simon Whaley, Church Stretton, Shropshire.
Toe Dipping.
Sue Wilsea, North Ferriby, Yorks.
The Parcel.
Mary Pache, Ruislip, Middlesex.
The Choosing Time.
Joanne Harper, Lydbrook, Glos.
Of Comfort and Joy.
Denise Reeder, Northampton.
A Fox, a Deer, a Swan, a Horse.
Norman Kitching, Gosport, Hants.
Flying the Nest.
Monica Mukherji, London.
Summer House Memories.
Claire Black, France.
Shopping for One.
Judy Walker, Hexham, Northumberland.
Word Games.
Tony Oswick, Clackton-on-Sea, Essex.
Asbo Annie.
Alison Bacon, Bristol.
Every Day a Washing Day.
Julia Anderson, Cambridge.
Cowgirl Boots.
Tania Yeatman, Wimborne, Dorset.
A Life Worth Saving.
Samantha Tonge, Cheadle, Cheshire.
The Changing of Seasons.
Fiona Allan, Horam, East Sussex.
Staying Put.
Lucy Mouland,Norwich.
Growing Your Own.
Stephen McDaniel, Neuhaus, Austria.
Renewal.
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Judges Comments:
Vanda’s comments
This was the ninth Write Space short story competition and I think it has been my favourite to judge. Compiling the shortlist was very difficult and I was relieved to be able to hand the task of choosing the winners over to Della. In the event, she chose the stories which stood out for me too and we were both very happy with the final decision.
There were 201 entries in the competition and 93 people asked for critiques. People often wonder why they didn’t make the shortlist, or even if they made the shortlist but didn’t win a prize. This is where asking for a critique is so useful. Della and I agree that one of the most useful aspects of entering a writing competition is the value of receiving feedback on your work in the form of a critique, whether to show why you didn’t win a prize or to highlight areas which need work. In fact, Della and I both remember particular critiques which helped us enormously with our writing in the past – and I recall the one which helped me sell my first story!
Thanks you all, once again, for entering. There is always a wonderful feeling of completion at the end of a competition, combined with a little sadness it’s over. I do hope you all enjoyed getting ideas for your stories and writing them. Please do read our winning entries and, most importantly of all – keep writing!
Vanda Inman
Judge’s Report from Della
Our shortlist this year was slightly longer because the standard of this year’s entries was so high. Choosing my top five was extremely hard. Many of you interpreted the theme as moving on from romantic relationships, so it was lovely to see plots where the writer had thought a little laterally. Death was popular, as were ghosts. Incidentally, if you did choose a familiar theme your writing had to be extremely good for it to stand out from the crowd.
Also, 11 of you used the title Moving On, which is perhaps not the best idea in a themed competition.
But overall, this was one of the highest standard competitions I have ever judged and it was a delight to choose the winners.
I chose The Road Ahead as our prize winner because it was unusual and believable and the characters were beautifully drawn. I won’t forget that story in a hurry.
I chose Things You Should Know About Henry as our runner up because I really cared about Henry and the story moved me to tears.
I chose The Personal Touch as our third place prizewinner for its wonderful understated writing and great characterisation.
Highly Commended
Conchita and the Mating Pigeons – I loved Conchita and this was very amusing and believable.
A Kind of Magic – this was so completely different and shouldn’t have worked but it did!
Thanks for giving me the chance to read some amazing stories.
Best wishes
Della Galton
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