Success in the Steyning Festival short story competition!

I was delighted to learn last week that I’d been awarded second place prize in the Steyning Festival short story competition with my story Rebuffed. The competition was organised by West Sussex Writers. Competition Secretary, Richard Buxton, had clearly managed the affair with understated skill.  The competition was open to writers from across East and West Sussex, Brighton and Hove.

What an excellent experience the awards evening was! There was fine dining followed by readings from the short-listed entries by the two judges, esteemed novelists Elly Griffiths and Simon Brett. Elly and Simon also shared their thoughts on the best examples of the short story form. I met some brilliant people: organisers, sponsors, fellow-competitors and other guests. Once again I was blown away by the standard of competition. You can check that out for yourself by going to the West Sussex Writers website – www.westsussexwriters.co.uk.

On the now writing front, I have submitted my novella to two competitions, so fingers plaited for that. I’m also rewriting the draft of an earlier novel. But these pesky ideas for short stories keep tapping the door at the back of my head (the door that has replaced the eyes that were there as an essential requirement in the world of work). I’ve just completed a story set in Ireland – and, yes, I’ve winged it off to a competition. Keep you posted…