Mslexia

Mslexia, the magazine for women who write | www.mslexia.co.uk

Short Story Competition

The winners, selected by tracy chevalier

1st Prize: Love: A Painting by Sarah Klenbort
2nd Prize: The Journey by Anne Bentley
3rd Prize: The Upside-down Jesus by Karen Jones

Three runners-up: 'The Cupcake Tree' by Jennifer Moore, 'The Decisive Moment' by Ilona Jesnick, 'Reading Brother Boniface' by Maria Hoey.

Congratulations to all of our winners! The top three stories, plus the three runners-up and Tracy Chevalier's essay, are published in issue 45 of Mslexia: order now. Read Tracy Chevalier's essay online.

This is what they've won: 1st Prize: £2,000 plus a one-week writing retreat at Chawton House Library* and a day with a Virago editor**; 2nd Prize: £500; 3rd Prize: £250. 3 other finalists win £100 each.

* The CHL retreat is accommodation only, dates to be agreed between CHL and the competition winner.
** The day with a Virago editor must be taken at a time that is suitable to both Virago and the competition winner.
The winner is responsible for any other expenses involved with attending the CHL retreat and the day with a Virago editor, i.e travel, food, etc. The prizes must be taken by 31 March 2011.

On Winning...

"I don't usually enter contests – I've entered about ten in my life. They always seem to me like playing Lotto, which I don't do. But I guess it happens that sometimes you win! It's such a thrill – thank you, Mslexia!" – Sarah Klenbort.

Meet the winners, and read what they say about their experience of the Mslexia Short Story Competition.

The Judge

"I started my writing life with short stories, and know how hard it is to get them right. They require a sensitive eye and an economical way with words. If you pull it off, you have really accomplished
something."

Tracy Chevalier was born and grew up in Washington, DC. After university she moved to London, where she has lived for over 25 years. She worked for a few years in publishing before leaving office life to do an MA in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. She has written six novels, including Remarkable Creatures, Burning Bright, and the international bestseller Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has been translated into 36 languages and sold almost 4 million copies worldwide. She has judged the Bridport Short Story Prize and the Jewish Quarterly Prize, and has been Chair of the Society of Authors. She lives in London with her husband and son.

For more information about Tracy, visit her website.

The 2009 Winners, selected by Helen Simpson:

1st Prize: Wiggy by Beda Higgins >> LISTEN TO THIS STORY on shortstoryradio.com
2nd Prize: Tracks by Angela Carr
3rd Prize: The Lemon Tree by Fadhila Mazanderani

Three finalists: 'Back There' by Hilary Wilce, 'Mr Muyila's Bull' by Heather Joanne Reed, 'The Landowner' by Jo Verity.

The top three stories, plus the three runners-up and Helen Simpson's essay, are published in Issue 41 of Mslexia.