We are excited to announce our shortlist for the Chalk Circle Short Story Competition 2020.
Thank you to everyone who entered our inaugural short story competition and many congratulations to our twelve shortlisted writers whose names and stories are listed below.
The final winners, decided by our judge Vanessa Gebbie, will be announced on 14 November 2020.
'Most of us won’t change the world with the homespun stories we create during these uncertain times but that doesn’t mean our writing isn’t worth sharing.’ This was our challenge to short story writers during lockdown earlier this year, resulting in 340 entries - including 50 from overseas. A fantastic response which surpassed all our expectations.
Heart-searching, thought provoking, exciting - the stories we received tackled a diversity of subjects and settings. ‘Dystopian nightmare’, ‘absurdist humour’, celebrations of ‘what you love, or have discovered, and fear to lose’: we asked for it all and were gifted in return with some wonderful writing.
A special thank you to our reading panel; with so many fascinating stories to choose from, arriving at the final shortlist was a daunting task, leading to more than a few animated zoom discussions! Thanks also to our competition secretary, who ensured the anonymity of the process with each story being read ‘blind’.
Shortlist
Emily Jane Bell Chick
Peter Court Diesel
Mara Dougall The Matter
Saffire Joriades-Israel Pocket Money Pickings
Carolyn McPherson Zungueira
Amy McWilliams The Uninvited Guests
Michael Morell Death of Nebula
Ali Said Both at Once
Josie Turner Well Water
Tom Watling Always Something to do on a Saturday
Barbara Weeks Bread & Peaches
Catherine Whitmore Teacups are for Girls
Look out next month for news of the final winners, together with Vanessa Gebbie's judge's report and an insight into what she looks for in a successful short story.
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