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Read Winning Stories HERE

Organiser’s Comments

Another quality selection of stories were entered into the 2024 competition: perhaps not so many as in previous years, but the potency of the work made up for that.

Entries were received from all around the World: Italy, Spain, Korea, the USA and Anglesey (it’s an island, it counts). Still no entry from Antarctica, I’m almost certain that the ice-breakers make it through for the 2025 contest.

A word of thanks to the members of Circle who were press-ganged volunteered enthusiastically to read bundles of entries as part of the initial sift. Their sterling efforts made the final judge’s job more difficult (if less time-consuming). Their efforts are greatly appreciated. 

A big thank-you to all the writers who took the time and effort to enter stories into the 2024 competition. There is a lot of bravery involved in entering a contest such as this and opening up your writing to be judged. If you weren’t successful this year (or even if you were!), please try again when the 2025 competition opens up in the summer. 

Our guest judge this year was Jessica Meade, a talented photographer, videographer and theatre director (watch for her name in the future). All her work focusses on narrative and storytelling, which makes her perfect as a judge for this contest. Her deliberations were slightly delayed by work on Shirley Valentine in Liverpool, but deliberate she has and the contest results – along with her wise words – are below. 

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Judges Report:

It was such a joy to read such an incredible selection of stories, each with such distinct voices and tones. I laughed, I cried, I gasped. It’s been a real journey to move through your worlds, built with such detail and nuance.  I was so struck by the breadth of talent within your works – it made my job almost impossible! What really captivated me was the shared consideration of humanity, all corners of it. Now more than ever I see a huge urgency to write about how we hurt, love, breathe and think, how things affect us and shape us irrevocably, the themes of grief and family particularly struck deep within me.

Thank you to all entrants, who I recognise have poured so much love and care into their work, you each have penned such joyful, painful, funny, emotional, uplifting (the list goes on) stories that will stay with me for a long time.

I feel very lucky to have spent the last few weeks living in your worlds. Your words make our world a better place.

1st – Body Of Water by  Lianne Warr

Body Of Water is a love letter to family and the natural world. The language used throughout is something of a dream, the way this writer looks at the natural world is something special, I wish only that we all looked at the Earth through this lens. This story grapples so intelligently, so carefully with grief. The story reads so fluidly, it moves through your brain and heart so seamlessly, almost like a beautiful Body Of Water… I often look to the world to see the memories of my life, of those gone from the physical world who live on in the stars, the sky, the sea.

2nd – The Bright Coin Shining by John Irving Clarke

We learn of how precious and fragile life is, and how important it is that we savour every single drop of it. This story is a true walk down memory lane. Stephen looks life in the eyes and works out what his place is within it. This story looks a lot at personal legacy, the legacy we step into and the legacy we leave behind, might it be protected to the extent that we wish?

3rd – Following My Nose by Helen Chambers

I love to read about women using their voice and being bold in their identity. “I am here to disturb them”, reads the story, it’s the second sentence. I like to see women disturb those who put us into boxes, who make choices on how valuable we are which are only based upon the way that we look. I too love food, and could almost smell these words – what a sensory journey! This story is about many things, but one thing I really enjoyed was observing women take back what is their own.

Highly Commended – He Must Come Down! by Alex Clissold-Jones

I thought this story presented a really intriguing perspective. I can’t imagine how lonely life must be for our protagonist. I think this story presents a really bespoke conversation, it safely explores the viewpoints of the many. I think this story felt powerful for many reasons but especially in its relationship to relevance.

Commended Stories – You Pay Your Taxes and You Take Your Chances by Denarii Peters

This one really surprised me – I didn’t expect that ending! I felt this to be a really intelligent look at the way the world appears to be moving. It felt especially relevant given we continue to grow more distrustful of our governments of recent.

Commended Stories – Ball Boy by Rob Molan

This struck a chord deep within me. How can you have it all, to barely remember it when you’re older? I felt hugely connected to this piece. Ball Boy has always looked out for those around him, on or off the pitch. He sees this as a lifelong responsibility as he becomes a carer in later life. This story is testament to memory, living life fully and being kind.