Iain Pattison judged Short Story Competition.

This is the one short story competition we hold that is not judged by the members. The stories were judged instead by author, journalist and leading short story judge Iain Pattison. Not only judged but all entrants were given a critique on their entry. The entries and the critiques (with author’s permission) were read out over two meetings with winners being announced on the second evening.

Ian chose as the winner Under the Clock by Colin Ferguson. It told of a soldier depressed by his disfiguration after receiving injuries in Afghanistan who was set up by lonely hearts advert to meet a woman similarly injured ion a car crash but who had retained her GSOH. Runner-up was Love Never Dies by Dick Sawdon Smith about a couple in love who break up in acrimonious circumstances only to get back together when she suffers an incurable illness but tragically she mistakes hiss love for pity. In joint third place were the Tale of Two Bears by Jerry Robinson where two teddy bears tell their life stories to a toy fluffy rabbit and More than Meets the Eye by Chris Mundy a Sherlock Holmes spoof of a female spy who joins a belly dancing group and send Morse code messages with her navel.

Most entrants appreciated Iain’s critiques and particularly the trouble he had gone to explain and even illustrate where he thought their stories could be improved.

A valuable evening for all who attended.

Dick.