BRITTLE STAR - A PIECE OF NEWS

I have been keeping this one under the proverbially hat for a wee while, sworn to secrecy until the launch made official all the announcements. I am talking about Brittle Star Magazine’s inaugural short story competition. The magazine is into its 34^th edition but running a competition was a new venture for them. They secured the services of two fine judges for the occasion – David Constantine for the short story section and Mimi Khalvati for the poetry.

I put in a couple of stories, an old one and a new one. After the initial sifting, 51 stories were then sent to David Constantine and he had the task, seeing the stories ‘blind’ (no names attached), of selecting a 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd and a few commendeds. This time two of my stories ended up on the podium with 3^rd and 1^st place, which I was delighted with (and quite embarrassed about when it came to the awards ceremony).

I always want to go to the prize-giving events when there are such things, but all too often the day job gets in the way, that and being so far away from where it's at. However, the launch of Brittle Star’s 34^th edition, combined with the awards ceremony, fell neatly within my school holidays and so I was able to attend. Of course, hot footing it down to London and staying over for a night and then getting back punches into nothing the prize-money won, but as I solidly maintain, entering these competitions is not ever about the money.

The launch event took place on Wednesday of this week in the Barbican Library and I was invited to read my 1^st place story there as part of proceedings. Now, who wouldn’t want to do a reading in such a big named place - I mean, THE Barbican! The occasion got to me and I think I delivered one of my best readings and the story went down very well and garnered lots of positive responses over the pimms and strawberries afterwards (to those who came up to me to say how much they loved my story, many many thanks).

I should like to pass on my sincere congratulations to all the other readers at the event. I was thoroughly entertained by what was read, the poetry and the prose, and there were some new names for me to look out for in the future. I should also like to thank the judges for the work they did. And finally, I should like to thank Jacqueline Gabbitas and Martin Parker for putting together the competition, for doing such a brilliant job in producing the magazine (and any writer would be pleased to have their work in such a well presented piece of publishing), and for being such incredibly warm hosts on the evening.

As for the magazine, it is a lovely thing, so well produced and full of good stuff. You should take a look for yourselves.