And wow, we made it!
This competition was in the making for a very long time. I first suggested it to Laura shortly after we published Issue 2. We dicussed it for a while, and agreed it would be a worthy project for us, to support as many writers as possible and to attract the very best talent to our door.
We were a little anxious, of course, because it’s quite an undertaking to run something like this, and to do so fairly and efficiently. Looks like we managed to do it, and to be honest, we couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out. That’s purely down to you guys, the writers who submitted to us, our allies and friends, and of course to Nuala O’Connor, our competition judge.
We thank you one and all!
Nuala made judging a priority over the last couple of days, and we are pleased beyond measure to bring you our winners, and those stories which Nuala most highly commends. We are immensely grateful to her for her support and encouragement!
We hope to have the special competition issue of Frazzled Lit ready for release in the next two to three weeks. It will include our winners, and a selection of our finalists, shortlisted, and highly commended stories. It’s going to be chock full of amazing pieces, so keep a watch for it!
Okay, that’s enough from me; here are the results!
First Place Winner
Limbo Nights
by Gary Finnegan
Nuala described this wonderful story as ‘… a word-perfect gallop through the highs and lows of a post-Leaving Cert trip, and the swift transition from irresponsible child to semi-responsible adult-in-training. Great imagery and dialogue.’
Jennifer said: ‘Limbo Nights is a masterful story, set amid the painful transition between school and university. The characters are beautifully rendered, their conflicts real and palpable, their joys and tragedies vividly painted. A stellar performance by a writer who is clearly a master of his craft, and a story that will stay with me for a very long time to come.’
Second Place Winner
Silfra
by Jess Dolan
Nuala described Silfra as ‘… a skilled, atmospheric meditation on absence and violence, set against a stark, broody landscape. Twisty and sensual. Great, intriguing title, too.’
Jennifer said: ‘Silfra is compelling and mercurial, and the writer shifts effortlessly between present and past, action and consequences, apathy and hope. The language is gorgeous, the observations poignant and meaningful, and the central metaphor blew my mind. Mark my words: Jess Dolan is a writer worth watching!’
Third Place Winner
Amy’s Mom
by Emily Rinkema
Nuala described Amy’s Mom as ‘… a perfectly pitched, voice-lead story of the luck of the draw, where teen girls get a dose of reality, and try to cope with it. Charming, moving, and irreverent.’
Jennifer said: ‘Amy’s Mom is as heartwrenching as it is endearing. The writer uses a light touch, which is just perfect for this story, and by so doing, she renders her characters in glorious 3D. And the voice; oh my! This is sublime writing, and I simply adored it!’
Nuala’s Highly Commended Stories
The Canal
by Seamus Scanlon
Nuala described The Canal as ‘… a love letter to Galway city and a mourning of lost youth, and lives without opportunity. A moving story, with great language flourishes.’
Jennifer said: ‘The witty, deadpan delivery of the protagonist, who wishes his mother had named him Oasis like she wanted to, sold me on this story. In the space of surprisingly few words, the writer conjures a world and a panoply of chararacters. The emotions are rich and finely balanced, and the quiet devastation of the ending is perfect!’
Slasher Dream #2
by Robyn Jefferson
Nuala described Slasher Dream #2 as ‘A breathless, elliptical riot of a story, stuffed with American pop culture and youthful posturing and longing.’
Jennifer said: ‘Slasher Dream #2 is a personal favourite from the competition, and I have read it many times purely for the pleasure of enjoying its clever construction. This is a truly imaginative story, fresh, original, and deeply affecting. I’ll be watching out for other work from this writer!’
Great to hear, and congratulations to all! Where can we read the winners?
Congratulations to everyone and to Jennifer, Laura and Nuala for running such a well organised and speedily judged comp. Good job guys.