Results of the 2013 Competition

First:      ‘Walk Holes’ by Linley Jones (Auckland)
Second: ‘Cutters #3’ by Marie Duncan (Nelson)
Third:    ‘Beyond This Gate’ by June Bowen (Blenheim)
 
Highly Commended:
‘Drawing the Line’ by Dorothy Alexander (Palmerston North)
‘Through a Glass Darkly’ by Jeanette Cook (Nelson)
‘Sweet and Green’ by Caroline Crick (Nelson)
‘Life: Take One’ by Megan Frith (Auckland)
‘Caught Up’ by Helen Kirkhan (Nelson)
‘Did You See the Love?’ by Mary Ann Lamont (Whanganui)
‘Water’ by Jenny Waters (Eketahuna)

​These winning stories were published in the anthology Horizons

The judge, Brigid Lowry, provided this report:

It was an honour and a pleasure to judge this competition. Thank you for giving me the opportunity, and big thanks to Chrissie Ward for her fabulous organising skills.
 
The stories covered a wide range of themes: love, loss, ageing, bullying, dreams, identity, family and illness. The range of settings was also diverse. I travelled in the realms of the imagination from a hospital ward to a carpark, from a hair dressing salon, to the beach, and to outer space. There was some beautiful writing, and the best stories were clear, clever, competent, creative and thought-provoking. They dealt with humanity, touching on the joys and sorrows of being alive. Many used humour as a zesty accompaniment to their tasty offering. 
 
The most common problem I encountered was over explaining. "Show not tell" really is the best writing advice I can give you, and it is truly worth following. Powerful writing leaves room for the reader to use their intelligence, and provides a few mysteries and suprises. Today's publishing market is a tough one, so only the most original work will succeed commercially these days. I also met a few ill-placed apostrophes, and I advise writers to make sure they give their work a professional level of care with punctuation. I'm with you in spirit today, celebrating the inky world of words, of creativity and delight. 

Linley Jones (first)

June Bowen (third)