We’ve had some debates this month and it was difficult to choose among the 10 fantastic shortlisted stories. But choose we have and we also received just under 200 votes for the People’s Prize.
Many congratulations to all 10 shortlisted writers and well done to our winners!
The cash prizes are £226 for first place and £151 for second. The People’s Prize is a day ticket to our Online Flash Fest. The winner can pick which day they’d like to attend!
Shortlist
- Alternative Therapy by Katie Oliver
- Degrees of Corrosive Fanaticism by Helene La Cour
- Inheritance by Maria Thomas
- Martha Takes Her First Drive in Frank’s Car by Alison Wassell
- Pieces of Our Boy by Kay Rae Chomic
- Searching for a Blazer on the School’s Donated Clothing Rail by Joanne Clague
- She Will Recover Her Wings by Keely O’Shaughnessy
- The Only Way I Can Make Sense of the Word ‘Recovery’ is to Smash it into Pieces by James Montgomery
- The Sea Change by Hilary Ayshford
- What They Recovered, and What They Didn’t by Morgan Quinn
First Prize: Pieces of Our Boy by Kay Rae Chomic
We loved this poignant story of sisters remembering their lost brother by lying under the quilt they made from his clothes. Lovely tone and great little details deftly reveal character for the living and the dead.
Second Prize: Searching for a Blazer on the School’s Donated Clothing Rail by Joanne Clague
Another poignant story of loss with some lovely imagery. The question marks of the clothes hangers immediately set up the questions about why it was so important to find this piece of clothing.
People’s Prize Winner: Martha Takes Her First Drive in Frank’s Car by Alison Wassell
We’re not surprised this won the vote as it is a universal tale of loss that is also filled with hope.
Many congratulations to our winners, especially Alison Wassell who has won the People’s Prize vote 2 months in a row!
A special mention to The Only Way I Can Make Sense of the Word ‘Recovery’ is to Smash it into Pieces by James Montgomery as it was a close second place winner in the People’s Prize vote and in the cash prize votes as well. Fantastic structure and the story told within it is powerful too.
The May competition launches on Monday 3rd so see you again soon!