Last night I went to the results and launch event of the Willesden Herald Short Story Prize 2014, and a Good Time Was Had By All ™. Some of the stories were performed by the Liars’ League (http://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/about_the_league.html) which is a liaison between professional actors and short story writers. They have branches in London, Hong Kong, New York and Leicester, so if you’re globe-trotting then do check them out!
My story Rock Pools was read by the lovely Helen Belbin, who brought a depth of perspective and realism to it that blew me away.
Here we are in the interval:
Other stories included Megan Taylor’s Rash – which had half the audience members surreptitiously scratching – Dan Powell’s Rip Rap, Angela Sherlock’s Postman’s Knock, Joan Brennan’s Such is her Power, and Nick Holdstock’s Ward. Huge congratulations to the overall winner Nick Holdstock, and the runners-up Angela Sherlock and Joan Brennan!
Charles Lambert was the judge this year, and said a lot of awfully nice things about the stories. I dipped into the anthology on the way back, and can thoroughly recommend it! If you’d like to buy it, it’s available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Willesden-Herald-New-Short-Stories/dp/0985213337/
Of course, many thanks go to Stephen Moran for coordinating and organising the event, as well as reading the entries. If you’d like to enter the next one, keep an eye on http://www.willesdenherald.com/competition/welcome.php for submission dates.
C. G. Menon 