THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER….
The OVER 18 PRIZE of £100 is split between
BEULAH HARRIS for her brilliant story I in which she evokes the serenity, power and inherent menace of the sea
LORNA MALAN for her MIMICKED ME, a poetic, evocative stroll through her interior world, the confrontation with death and the determination to carry on.
READ THE FINALISTS’ STORIES HERE http://jonelkon.com/the-finalists-writing-competition/
READ THE FULL SHORTLIST HERE: http://jonelkon.com/the-shortlist-senior/
This year’s entries were spectacular on the whole, which made the final decision fraught, to say the least. SPECIAL MENTION goes to all the people brave enough to submit their stories for consideration. Especial special mention to CAITLIN HUXHAM for her ‘Going Home‘. Caitlin I took the liberty of doing a tiny edit, I hope that’s ok.
All the stories submitted by the winners were excellent, by the way. Each writer can submit three entries. Beulah’s were shortlisted! As were Lorna’s, showing both their talent. It took me a while to get Beulah’s ‘cheese grater’ joke (in ‘Home’) but when I did, I realised: Braille! Brilliant! The other story which blew both of my socks off was Judgement Day by Lorna – a powerful story with a shocking ending.
These two South African writers really deserve wider recognition and I hope their triumph in this Competition may help in some way. Never give up, both of you! Recognition needs to be seduced, charmed, earned. Continually.
More SPECIAL MENTIONS: Lona Simandla, for THE STRENGTH IN ME, an empowering piece; Zenith Milner for her OCCUPY YOUR HEART WITH LOVE, a call for joining our political activism to our emotional growth; Erica Kennedy-Smith for a TRUE SOUTH AFRICAN TALE, which paints a marvellous picture of the challenges faced in our Home Country and her determination to live on and adapt; FIREHEART by Pavlova Maharaj (a previous winner) is a call to end sexism and as a true story, an encouraging tale; Alan Maxwell’s BATTLE OF LAING’S NEK is such an assured, well-crafted piece of writing, it deserved inclusion in the Shortlist; the same applies to his shocking PAID IN FULL. I did enjoy Grigor’s CORONA for its imagery and power! and finally THE DARK STREET is so dark, I’ve lost the submission email! Please let me know if you are the author! Apologies.
Keep writing. Keep reading. Never give up!
NEXT: THE UNDER 18 SHORTLIST! To be announced tomorrow.
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