Competition Winners! - Writers Weekend

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the
2020 Writers' Weekend Competitions!

All winners will be contacted within two weeks to discuss their prize.
Certificates will be posted to first, second,and third-place winners, plus those highly commended and commended.

Congratulations to all!

The Writers’ Weekend Flash Fiction Competition

Can you write a story with a beginning, middle and end in only 300 words? We’re looking for stories that transport us and leave us wanting more. Stories should be written for adults, but can be on any theme or subject.
There is no minimum length, but stories must not be a word over 300, including the title.

Judged by Claire Fuller,
author of Our Endless Numbered Days, Swimming Lessons and Bitter Orange

First Prize: £300
Second Prize: £200
Third Prize: £100
For those who requested feedback, they will receive it within one week of the announcement of winners.

THE WINNERS!

1st place - ‘Suspension 1864’ by Gail Anderson
2nd place - ‘The Disappearing Act’ by Abigail Johnson
3rd place - ‘Mr Higgins’ by Rebecca Hamilton

Highly Commended:
‘Divest’ by Ellie Campbell Sorenson
‘Dinner Date’ by Luisa Roberts
‘The Luck of the Drawer’ by Rebecca Hamilton

Skylark Fabulous Fiction for Fives to Teens Competition

For writers of children’s (5+), middle grade, and young adult fiction. Skylark are looking for an instantly intriguing concept coupled with a remarkable writing voice. Entrants were invited to submit the first 3000 words of a work of fiction for first chapter books (ages 5+), ages 8-12, or 12+.

Sponsored and Judged by Skylark Literary Agency.

First Prize: £500 plus a one-to-one editorial consultation by phone or Skype
Second Prize: One-to-one editorial consultation by phone or Skype
Third Prize: One-to-one editorial consultation by phone or Skype

Winners:
First place - ‘Smoke & Brine’ by Clare Harlow
Second place - ‘The Curse of the Creepers’ by Lynette Fisher
Third place - ‘We Are Stardust’ by Pete Hepworth

Highly Commended:
‘The Mystery of the Golden Swan’ - Georgina Edwards
‘Soulless’ - Lucy Ransley
‘The Rising’ - Louise Cook

Writing Magazine & Writers’ Weekend Short Story Competition

Entrants were invited to submit quality short stories or flash fiction on any subject, theme or period (no children’s stories). Length 1500-3000 words for each entry. Each entry must be a complete story. Entries were judged on their originality and excellent story-telling qualities.
Sponsored and Judged by Writing Magazine

First Prize: £250 and publication in Writing Magazine in 2020, and a one-year subscription to Writing Magazine.
Second Prize: One-year subscription to Writing Magazine
Third Prize: One-year subscription to Writing Magazine

Winners:
First place - ‘The Prince of All Stars’ by K.C. Finn
Second place - ‘Wanted Person’ by Yvonne Sampson
Third place - ‘Feeder’ by Elkie Yates

Highly Commended:
‘Yellow Jacket’ by Alex Dawes
‘Tiger Leap’ by Jo Agrell
‘Peach Pie’ by Ana de Andrada

The Bright Agency Picture Book Competition

Entrants were invited to submit a text of no more than 600 words in prose or verse for children aged 3-6.
Sponsored and Judged by The Bright Agency

First Prize: £500 and a one-to-one editorial consultation by phone or Skype
Second Prize: Written editorial feedback
Third Prize: Book prizes

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

First prize: ‘The Animal Alphabet Mix-Up’ by Sue Lancaster
Second prize: ‘The Coin’ by Darren Sexton
Third prize: ‘Maya’s Mistake’ by Kate Thompson

Highly Commended:
‘Pip - The Littlest Viking’ by Katie Penman
‘Count-a-saurus Rex’ by Leonie Roberts
‘Sparkles Ahoy!’ by Kate Thompson

Winners:
Arabella Stein wasn’t able to make a video to announce the winners, but sends this message:

‘I was very excited to read all the brilliant longlisted entries to the 2020 Bright Agency and Writers’ Weekend Picture Book competition. The standard of entries was very high and it was very difficult to choose, but I’m thrilled to announce ‘The Animal Alphabet Mix-Up’ by Sue Lancaster as the winner. Funny, original and smart, I was drawn to both the idea and the execution of ‘The Animal Alphabet Mix-Up’, and thought how much fun it would be to read with a child, and how well it would work as a fully illustrated picture book.’

The Writers’ Weekend Opening of a Novel Competition

Entrants were invited to send the first three pages of their novel, plus a 600-word maximum synopsis. Any theme or period from Upper YA novels to adult. Entrants that requested feedback will receive it within one week of the winners announcement.

Judged by author Claire Gradidge, winner of the 2019 Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition.

First Prize: £250
Second Prize: Book prizes
Third Prize: Book prizes

Winners:
First place - ‘Disappearing’ by Moyette Gibbons
Second place - ‘The Echoing Shore’ by Jason Mann
Third place - ‘Bel’ by Melanie Corrigan

Highly Commended:
‘A Passion for Dead Leaves’ - Pam Nixon
‘Rough Justice’ - Genet Marie Bevan
‘Hetty Arbuthnot’ - Kate Reeves
‘Dust Divided’ - Kieron Nixon

Young Writers’ Competition

Book tokens will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners in each age group and certificates will be sent to all winners, highly commended and commended entries. Winners will be contacted the week after the Writers’ Weekend.

Judged and sponsored by the Writers’ Weekend

Winners:

Age 4 - 11:
First place - ‘What I like about staying at home’ by Esther Davey
Second place - ‘What I like about being at home’ by Josie Mansour
Third place - ‘Animals are free’ by Muskaan Hammarsal

Highly Commended:
‘Home marvellous home’ - Ava Rose Hooton
‘When Dreams Come Home’ - Poppy Stanley
‘Staying at home’ - Zack Johnson
‘What I like about being at home’ - Christina Philippou

Age 12 - 16:
First place - ‘What I like about being at home’ by Naomi Aaronson
Second place - ‘What I like about staying at home’ by Valentina Matata
Third place - ‘What I like(d) about being at home’ by Magnus Kuhn

Highly Commended:
‘What I like about being at home’ - James Barkwith
‘Peace, the peace and the hush of home’ - Ben Woodward
‘What I like about being at home?’ - Rakshana Madhavan