Thank you to the Hunter Writers Centre and Newcastle Council for the inaugural Newcastle Short Story Prize. I’ve been very jealous of the poetry people with their prestigious (not to mention financially rewarding) prize, so it was good to see us short story writers finally get a go.

Thanks also to Marion Halligan and Ryan O’Neill as judges for shortlisting two of my stories and commending one of them – Remnants of Sound. 2000 words isn’t quite my length – I’m more of a distance gal than a sprinter, and I wasn’t entirely happy with either of the stories, so decided to put them both in.

Of course, I’d have been happier if Marion and Ryan had given one of my stories the big gong – despite a lot of short listings and commendations I  just can’t seem to crack it for the win, but Ellen McGeogh’s Mercreature and Megan Perry’s Red Stilettos are both fine stories, and my cheque covered the cost of a yummy meal out  at Bocardos Spanish restaurant in Newcastle, so I guess I can’t complain too much.

I enjoyed the prize night too, ably organised by Karen Crofts and Mardi Ryan, at the Lovett Gallery.

Newcastle Short Story Prize Anthology