The results are in for our competition. We enjoyed reading the interesting and varied approaches to our theme of ‘community’. Thanks to everyone who entered – you gave our judges a difficult job!
The winners are published in our book; some others that we greatly admired are published below in the Commended section.
Short Story Results
FIRST PRIZE
Voices by Tina MacNaughton
‘This is a beautifully endearing and quietly hopeful story, simply told, but with a freedom and charm that won me over.’ Toby Litt
SECOND PRIZE
Another Drop in the Ocean by Rio Bivens
‘This is a gentle story of illness, friendship sharing and regrowth. I was drawn in by it, and impressed by its subtle investigation of caring relationships.’ Toby Litt
SHORTLISTED
Some Place by Fiona Dignan
The Murmuration by Jane Andreoli
Geriatric Guerilla Gardeners Cultivating Kinship by Linda Hibben
Poetry Results
FIRST PRIZE
Planet B by Tamsin Hopkins
‘A rare lighthearted and optimistic approach to the brief which encompassed both global and local actions whilst conveying in an amusing way the necessity to fix this planet rather than try and decamp somewhere else – despite its humor it also has a political edge to it that I like.’ Richard Williams
SECOND PRIZE
Horn’s Cross by Helen Scadding
‘I loved the language in this poem, and the way the last stanza uses the history of Horn’s Cross and the people of that part of Dartmoor as a metaphor to urge us to use the knowledge from the past towards a better future.’ Richard Williams
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Shelter by Denise Bennett
‘A poem that emphasises the need for us all to come together whatever our backgrounds, and the strength and healing that comes from doing so.’ Richard Williams
SHORTLISTED
Return by Helen Angell
The Mermaids’ Purses by Christina Moran
Commended Poems
We encountered a lot of good poetry for the competition, and decided to publish a few that didn’t quite make our shortlist. Click on the link to read …
- Portuguese Man O’War by Christina Moran
- Fig – Ficus Carica by Liz Kendall
- Where the Mallards Laugh by Denise Bennett
- After The Plagues by Fiona Dignan
Competition Info
Many thanks to our competition judges:
- Short story: Toby Litt
- Poetry: Richard Williams
1st prize receives:
- Publication in the 2024 Pens of the Earth book of short stories, poems and articles.
- Two tickets to the book launch.
- Pens of the Earth book, signed by the competition judge.
- A Solent Seagrass Seed Pod will be sponsored in your name. You will receive a certificate & postcard from the organisation.
2nd Prize receives:
- Publication in the 2024 Pens of the Earth book of short stories, poems and articles.
- Two tickets to the book launch.
- Pens of the Earth Book, signed by the competition judge.
- A Rainforest Saver e-certificate, offsetting your carbon footprint for one month (or longer if you’re careful!).