Winning stories

Thursday 6th December 2007

We're pleased to announce the finalists in our 2007 short story competition and we publish their winning entries

Picking a winner from the hundreds of entries for our short story competition, held this year for the first time in association with Costa Book Awards, was hard.

The Judges (pictured)
Costa Book Awards Director Bud McLintock
Fanny Blake, our Books Editor
Ariane Koek, Director of the Arvon Foundation
Neill Denny, Editor in Chief of The Bookseller
Tessa Hilton, our Editor at Large
Mavis Cheek, novelist
Cathy Kelly, novelist

Our winner
The Handyman by Jenny Steel
Jenny Steel, 68, a retired teacher, was our winner. She lives in Bredon, Gloucestershire, with her husband Richard. They have three grown-up children and three grandchildren.

The judges praised her beautifully written story.

Our runners-up
Return Journey by Sarah Green
Sarah, 55, is a secondary school teacher in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
The Story: A widowed woman travels to Florence planning her suicide.
The Judges Say: Artfully mixes narrative with memories.

The Red Shoes by Josephine Tarling
Josephine, 46, is a part-time administrator from London.
The Story: A pair of impractical red shoes transform the frustrated life of retired Lillian.
The Judges Say: Simple, satisfying and convincing.

Classical Horror by Sally Saunderson
Sally, 49, from Yately, Hampshire, is a consultant in the voluntary sector.
The Story: Morgan is blasé about her safety until she breaks down at night. The Judges Say: Its lightness made it a joy to read.

For Alice by Rachel Crowther
Rachel, 42, is a public health doctor.
The Story: A book signing forces Alice to face up to her past.
The Judges Say: A strong story with a modern touch.

Robin Hood by Susanna Spanring
Susanna, 46, is a music teacher from Somerset.
The Story: A music teacher has to choose between his privileged prep school pupils and his class at the local comprehensive.
The Judges Say: Her use of a male narrator was brave.

Delayed Gratification by Jayne Capaldi
Jane, 36, is an estate agent from Shropshire.
The Story: A woman leaves her family behind to travel alone to Africa.
The Judges Say: Funny, warm and instantly pulls you in.

The Dress by Nicola Peckham
Nicola, 48, is a teacher from London.
The Story: A cheque transforms the unfulfilled life of middle-aged Vonnie.
The Judges Say: Well-crafted, with a message of hope.

Whoosh! by Tracey Christiansen
Tracey, 47, is a teacher from Lincoln.
The Story: Postnatal depression forces a GP to overcome sibling rivalry.
The Judges Say: Tackled a difficult subject with sensitivity.

Feeling Good by Pippa Gladhill
Pippa, 56, lives in Bath.
The Story: Helen and Jack go to the same holiday cottage each year until Jack's death means a solo trip for Helen.
The Judges Say: The way Pippa experimented with language was impressive.

We'll be launching our 2008 short story competition in the Spring. Look out for details...

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