We've had an overwhelming response this year - better than ever before. With nearly 3,000 entries of an extremely high standard, our judge has had her work cut out trying to narrow down so many great entries. Thank you to everyone who submitted their work!
However, tough as they were, decisions have had to be made.
The shortlist of writers whose stories are being considered for a cash prize of £500 and a place at an Arvon writing course are as follows:
The Visit by Nathan Indarsingh
Substitute by D J Prince
The Quack Seat by Jonathan Smith
Just Visiting by Kelly Snow
Fallen 1 by Bernadette Steadman
When Sleeping by Vanessa Wilson
A Visitor by Kevin Franke
Minute Music by Amanda Oosthuizen
Visit to the Oracle by Don Nixon
The Visit by Kate Sheehy
The winner and two runners-up will be announced here a week from today - on Friday 28th March. Good luck to everyone on the shortlist and again, thank you for such a positive response. It's a privilege for us to read the work of so many keen writers.
Congratulations to all shortlisted. I look forward to reading all your stories and especially the winner. Enjoy the Arvon course.
First time I've entered this competition and, although disappointed for not being selected as one of the fab 10, I've enjoyed the process.
Well done all for getting so far - and good luck to the eventual winner.
It's a shame there isn't an 'honourable mention' list, you know, the ones that were nearly there, but not quite. That would let those aspiring authors know that they were on the right track and should continue. What do you think?
Congrats to you all!!! :D
Do we get to read the stories any time soon? *hopeful*