Strands International Short Story Competition
Theme - Fire
Theme - Fire
The first Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology is getting ready, with 17 brilliant stories that are shortlisted below.
Final Result
First Prize
The Fiery Angel by Helen de Búrca
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Judge's Comment
A powerful story with a dystopian vision. It deconstructs conventional views of human virtue and relies heavily on images
from the past and present to depict a horrifying future.The deceptively simple third person narrative reveals an unusual aspect of
state regulated terror. It appropriates the tools of speculative fiction to take you away from your comfort zones and to leave you with a chill running through your nerves.
~
(The first prize winner will receive $500 as cash award and the story will be published in the February 2017 issue of Lakeview International Journal of Literature and Arts and the Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology titled 'Fire'. )
Second Prize
Born In A Fire by Colum Sanson-Regan
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Judge's Comment
A love-hate story of two strong women who are bonded by a birth in a fire. It traces their separate struggles to make sense of their lives that are marred by forces beyond them.
~
(The second prize winner will receive $100 as cash prize and the story will be published in the Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology titled 'Fire'. )
Third Prize
What Remains by Sarah Evans
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Judge's Comment
A memory narrative that uses vivid atmospheric details and cinematic time-shifts to define the inner strength of an outwardly frail individual who dares to confront the past.
~
(The third prize winner will receive $75 as cash prize and the story will be published in the Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology titled 'Fire'.)
Highly Commended
Antichrist by Alan McCormick
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Judge's Comment
A skilfully understated narrative that recounts a profound experience from a specific phase in life. A convincing voice of the protagonist dwells into a state of mind that is difficult to define.
~
Goldfinches by Neil Campbell
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Judge's Comment
A unique character-driven story of an unlikely friendship between two people who live in the same apartment building. Fragmentary frames and deep reflections in the narrative have a great effect.
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The Cellar And The Attic by Petra McQueen
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Judge's Comment
A fast-paced narrative that takes shape through stunning scenes. There is conflict and tension from the beginning till the end. The rich inner life of the protagonist takes center stage.
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Unburning Bridges by Rob Nisbet
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Judge's Comment
An unusual story that weaves in fantasy and myth to reflect on the cyclical nature of women's lives through generations. The power of this story lies in its unforgettable visions.
~
(All the Highly Commended stories will receive $30 cash award, as a surprise gift. All shortlisted stories will be published in the Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology titled 'Fire'.)
The Fiery Angel by Helen de Búrca
~
Judge's Comment
A powerful story with a dystopian vision. It deconstructs conventional views of human virtue and relies heavily on images
from the past and present to depict a horrifying future.The deceptively simple third person narrative reveals an unusual aspect of
state regulated terror. It appropriates the tools of speculative fiction to take you away from your comfort zones and to leave you with a chill running through your nerves.
~
(The first prize winner will receive $500 as cash award and the story will be published in the February 2017 issue of Lakeview International Journal of Literature and Arts and the Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology titled 'Fire'. )
Second Prize
Born In A Fire by Colum Sanson-Regan
~
Judge's Comment
A love-hate story of two strong women who are bonded by a birth in a fire. It traces their separate struggles to make sense of their lives that are marred by forces beyond them.
~
(The second prize winner will receive $100 as cash prize and the story will be published in the Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology titled 'Fire'. )
Third Prize
What Remains by Sarah Evans
~
Judge's Comment
A memory narrative that uses vivid atmospheric details and cinematic time-shifts to define the inner strength of an outwardly frail individual who dares to confront the past.
~
(The third prize winner will receive $75 as cash prize and the story will be published in the Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology titled 'Fire'.)
Highly Commended
Antichrist by Alan McCormick
~
Judge's Comment
A skilfully understated narrative that recounts a profound experience from a specific phase in life. A convincing voice of the protagonist dwells into a state of mind that is difficult to define.
~
Goldfinches by Neil Campbell
~
Judge's Comment
A unique character-driven story of an unlikely friendship between two people who live in the same apartment building. Fragmentary frames and deep reflections in the narrative have a great effect.
~
The Cellar And The Attic by Petra McQueen
~
Judge's Comment
A fast-paced narrative that takes shape through stunning scenes. There is conflict and tension from the beginning till the end. The rich inner life of the protagonist takes center stage.
~
Unburning Bridges by Rob Nisbet
~
Judge's Comment
An unusual story that weaves in fantasy and myth to reflect on the cyclical nature of women's lives through generations. The power of this story lies in its unforgettable visions.
~
(All the Highly Commended stories will receive $30 cash award, as a surprise gift. All shortlisted stories will be published in the Strands Four Elements Short Fiction Anthology titled 'Fire'.)
Shortlist
A Different Kind Of Burning by Abha Iyengar
Abha Iyengar is an award winning, internationally published poet, author, essayist and a British Council certified creative writing mentor. Her work has appeared in Lakeview International Journal of Literature and Arts, Cha-An Asian Literary Journal, Arabesques Review, Litro India and others. Her story, The High Stool, was nominated for the Story South Million Writers Award. She received the Lavanya Sankaran Writing Fellowship for 2009-2010. She was a finalist at Flash Mob 2013, an international event. Her short story, The Marshlands, was shortlisted in the DNA-Out of Print contest 2016. Her film, Parwaaz, has won a Special Jury prize in Patras, Greece. Her published works include Yearnings, Flash Bites, Shrayan, Many Fish to Fry and The Gourd Seller and Other Stories.
Abha Iyengar is an award winning, internationally published poet, author, essayist and a British Council certified creative writing mentor. Her work has appeared in Lakeview International Journal of Literature and Arts, Cha-An Asian Literary Journal, Arabesques Review, Litro India and others. Her story, The High Stool, was nominated for the Story South Million Writers Award. She received the Lavanya Sankaran Writing Fellowship for 2009-2010. She was a finalist at Flash Mob 2013, an international event. Her short story, The Marshlands, was shortlisted in the DNA-Out of Print contest 2016. Her film, Parwaaz, has won a Special Jury prize in Patras, Greece. Her published works include Yearnings, Flash Bites, Shrayan, Many Fish to Fry and The Gourd Seller and Other Stories.
Antichrist by Alan McCormick
Alan McCormick lives by the sea in Dorset. His stories have won various prizes and his fiction has been widely published in print and online. His story ‘Go Wild in the Country’ was in Salt’s Best British Short Stories 2015. His short story collection, Dogsbodies and Scumsters, was long-listed for the 2012 Edge Hill Prize.
He also writes flash shorts in response to Jonny Voss’s pictures. They work together as Scumsters, have been published regularly at 3:AM, and keep blogs at www.dogsbodiesandscumsteers.wordpress.com and www.scumsters.blogspot.co.uk. He has just completed ‘Holes’, his first book of non-fiction, as well as an illustrated children’s book: ‘Udo’s Search for the Captain’.
Alan McCormick lives by the sea in Dorset. His stories have won various prizes and his fiction has been widely published in print and online. His story ‘Go Wild in the Country’ was in Salt’s Best British Short Stories 2015. His short story collection, Dogsbodies and Scumsters, was long-listed for the 2012 Edge Hill Prize.
He also writes flash shorts in response to Jonny Voss’s pictures. They work together as Scumsters, have been published regularly at 3:AM, and keep blogs at www.dogsbodiesandscumsteers.wordpress.com and www.scumsters.blogspot.co.uk. He has just completed ‘Holes’, his first book of non-fiction, as well as an illustrated children’s book: ‘Udo’s Search for the Captain’.
The Bells Of St Ronan by Alison Lock
Alison Lock's poetry and short stories have appeared in anthologies and journals in the UK and internationally. Her first poetry collection A Slither of Air was winner of the Indigo Dreams Poetry Collection Competition 2010, and her second collection Beyond Wings was published in 2015. She is the author of a short story collection, and the fantasy novella Maysun and the Wingfish. She is a tutor for Transformative Life Writing courses.
Alison Lock's poetry and short stories have appeared in anthologies and journals in the UK and internationally. Her first poetry collection A Slither of Air was winner of the Indigo Dreams Poetry Collection Competition 2010, and her second collection Beyond Wings was published in 2015. She is the author of a short story collection, and the fantasy novella Maysun and the Wingfish. She is a tutor for Transformative Life Writing courses.
Harvester by Anna Foley
Anna Foley lives in her native East Cork, Ireland with her family. She completed the MA in Creative Writing at University College Cork in 2016, and was selected to represent the university at a reading event during the West Cork Literary Festival in July 2016. Her work has appeared in several digital and print literary journals, including The Honest Ulsterman, The Lonely Crowd, The Incubator and The Quarryman.
Anna Foley lives in her native East Cork, Ireland with her family. She completed the MA in Creative Writing at University College Cork in 2016, and was selected to represent the university at a reading event during the West Cork Literary Festival in July 2016. Her work has appeared in several digital and print literary journals, including The Honest Ulsterman, The Lonely Crowd, The Incubator and The Quarryman.
Any Common Thug by Bonny Brooks
Bonny Brooks has been awarded the prestigious Arts and Humanities Research Council Scholarship for her upcoming novel about refugees and resistance movements. She was a 2015 AHRC Research Fellow at the John W. Kluge Center for Scholars at the Library of Congress Washington D.C., for her work on North Korea. A fiction writer, scholar, and occasional journalist, Bonny has written widely for the The Berggruen Institute on Governance and The Huffington Post’s WorldPost about North Korea, Israel/Palestine, refugees and right-wing populism in Europe. Her work has been published in Japanese, broadcast on Radio 4, and won an Arts Council/Literature Works award. She loves stand-up comedy and old English pubs. More at bonnybrooks.net
Bonny Brooks has been awarded the prestigious Arts and Humanities Research Council Scholarship for her upcoming novel about refugees and resistance movements. She was a 2015 AHRC Research Fellow at the John W. Kluge Center for Scholars at the Library of Congress Washington D.C., for her work on North Korea. A fiction writer, scholar, and occasional journalist, Bonny has written widely for the The Berggruen Institute on Governance and The Huffington Post’s WorldPost about North Korea, Israel/Palestine, refugees and right-wing populism in Europe. Her work has been published in Japanese, broadcast on Radio 4, and won an Arts Council/Literature Works award. She loves stand-up comedy and old English pubs. More at bonnybrooks.net
Debre And The Lion by Catherine McNamara
Catherine McNamara is an Australian author living in Italy after many years in West Africa. Her collection Pelt and Other Stories was long-listed for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award and semi-finalist in the Hudson Prize. She has been shortlisted in various competitions, most recently the Willesden Herald Short Story Competition and the Royal Academy/Pin Drop Short Story Award. Catherine's stories have been Pushcart-nominated and published widely.
Catherine McNamara is an Australian author living in Italy after many years in West Africa. Her collection Pelt and Other Stories was long-listed for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award and semi-finalist in the Hudson Prize. She has been shortlisted in various competitions, most recently the Willesden Herald Short Story Competition and the Royal Academy/Pin Drop Short Story Award. Catherine's stories have been Pushcart-nominated and published widely.
Born In A Fire by Colum Sanson-Regan
Colum Sanson-Regan is an Irish musician and author living in Wales, UK.
His debut novel ‘The Fly Guy’, a psychological thriller, is published by Wordfire Press.
Colum Sanson-Regan is an Irish musician and author living in Wales, UK.
His debut novel ‘The Fly Guy’, a psychological thriller, is published by Wordfire Press.
The Rough Field by David Butler
David Butler’s most recent novel City of Dis (New Island) was shortlisted for the Irish Novel of the Year 2015, while his second poetry collection All the Barbaric Glass is due to be published by Doire Press in early 2017.
David Butler’s most recent novel City of Dis (New Island) was shortlisted for the Irish Novel of the Year 2015, while his second poetry collection All the Barbaric Glass is due to be published by Doire Press in early 2017.
God's In The Space by Farah Ahamed
Farah Ahamed is a short fiction writer. Her stories have been published in The Massachusetts Review, Thresholds, Kwani, The Missing Slate and Out of Print among others. She has been nominated for The Caine and The Pushcart prizes, highly commended in the London Short Story Prize and shortlisted for the SI Leeds Literary Prize, DNA/Out of Print Award, Sunderland Waterstones Award, Asian Writer Award, and the Gerald Kraak Award.
Farah Ahamed is a short fiction writer. Her stories have been published in The Massachusetts Review, Thresholds, Kwani, The Missing Slate and Out of Print among others. She has been nominated for The Caine and The Pushcart prizes, highly commended in the London Short Story Prize and shortlisted for the SI Leeds Literary Prize, DNA/Out of Print Award, Sunderland Waterstones Award, Asian Writer Award, and the Gerald Kraak Award.
The Fiery Angel by Helen de Búrca
Helen de Búrca was born in Ireland and lives in Geneva, Switzerland. Her work has been recognized by the Cúirt New Writing Prize, the Sunday Business Post/Penguin Ireland Short Story Prize, the 2016 Nivalis Short Story Competition, the “Dalkey Creates” Short Story Competition, the Wasafiri New Writing Prize and the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award. She writes in English and French.
Helen de Búrca was born in Ireland and lives in Geneva, Switzerland. Her work has been recognized by the Cúirt New Writing Prize, the Sunday Business Post/Penguin Ireland Short Story Prize, the 2016 Nivalis Short Story Competition, the “Dalkey Creates” Short Story Competition, the Wasafiri New Writing Prize and the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award. She writes in English and French.
Olympic Pancake by Liza Nash Taylor
Liza Nash Taylor is in her third semester of the VCFA MFA program. Her work has appeared in Microchondria II, the literary magazine of the Harvard Bookstore, The Copperfield Press, Bluestem Magazine, Rum Punch Press, Ekphrastic: writing and art on art and writing and is scheduled to appear in the upcoming issue #66 of Gargoyle Magazine. Her short story, Mrs. Walker, won the San Miguel Writer’s Conference Prize for 2016 in Fiction. Her first novel, which is historical fiction, was recently put under contract by Janklow & Nesbit. She lives in Virginia with her husband and three dogs.
Liza Nash Taylor is in her third semester of the VCFA MFA program. Her work has appeared in Microchondria II, the literary magazine of the Harvard Bookstore, The Copperfield Press, Bluestem Magazine, Rum Punch Press, Ekphrastic: writing and art on art and writing and is scheduled to appear in the upcoming issue #66 of Gargoyle Magazine. Her short story, Mrs. Walker, won the San Miguel Writer’s Conference Prize for 2016 in Fiction. Her first novel, which is historical fiction, was recently put under contract by Janklow & Nesbit. She lives in Virginia with her husband and three dogs.
Goldfinches by Neil Campbell
Neil Campbell's debut novel Sky Hooks is out now from Salt. He has four collections of short fiction published, Broken Doll, Pictures from Hopper, Ekphrasis and the forthcoming Fog Lane. From Manchester, England.
Neil Campbell's debut novel Sky Hooks is out now from Salt. He has four collections of short fiction published, Broken Doll, Pictures from Hopper, Ekphrasis and the forthcoming Fog Lane. From Manchester, England.
The Cellar And The Attic by Petra McQueen
Petra McQueen is a writer and teacher, with an MA in Creative Writing. Her life-writing has appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, The Guardian and You magazine. Her stories and poems have been widely published in the UK and abroad, most recently in 'Refugees and Peacekeepers' by Patrician Press. She lives in Wivenhoe, UK and is currently teaching Creative Writing at the University of Essex.
Petra McQueen is a writer and teacher, with an MA in Creative Writing. Her life-writing has appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, The Guardian and You magazine. Her stories and poems have been widely published in the UK and abroad, most recently in 'Refugees and Peacekeepers' by Patrician Press. She lives in Wivenhoe, UK and is currently teaching Creative Writing at the University of Essex.
Unburning Bridges by Rob Nisbet
Rob Nisbet has written extensively for women’s magazines around the world, both under his own name and as Trixie Nisbet. He has written poetry to accompany paintings at local galleries and has performed his work at Brighton Fringe events in the UK. Recently he has written several adventures for audio company Big Finish for their ‘Doctor Who’ range. He also keeps chickens.
Rob Nisbet has written extensively for women’s magazines around the world, both under his own name and as Trixie Nisbet. He has written poetry to accompany paintings at local galleries and has performed his work at Brighton Fringe events in the UK. Recently he has written several adventures for audio company Big Finish for their ‘Doctor Who’ range. He also keeps chickens.
Khurooj by Sabin Iqbal
Sabin Iqbal is an Indian journalist who has worked in newspapers and magazines in India and abroad. He was Editorial Director of the first edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Senior Editor with Tehelka, and Sr. Asst. Editor of Business India. He has also edited sports publications and a hyperlocal news portal. He is a poet and an aspiring novelist. Sabin lives in Thirvuananthapuram, Kerala, with his wife and two children.
Sabin Iqbal is an Indian journalist who has worked in newspapers and magazines in India and abroad. He was Editorial Director of the first edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Senior Editor with Tehelka, and Sr. Asst. Editor of Business India. He has also edited sports publications and a hyperlocal news portal. He is a poet and an aspiring novelist. Sabin lives in Thirvuananthapuram, Kerala, with his wife and two children.
What Remains by Sarah Evans
Sarah Evans has had over a hundred stories published in anthologies, magazines and online. Prizes have been awarded by, amongst others: Words and Women, Winston Fletcher, Stratford Literary Festival, Glass Woman and Rubery. Other publishing outlets include: the Bridport Prize, Unthank Books, Riptide and Best New Writing. She has also had work performed in London, Hong Kong and New York.
Sarah Evans has had over a hundred stories published in anthologies, magazines and online. Prizes have been awarded by, amongst others: Words and Women, Winston Fletcher, Stratford Literary Festival, Glass Woman and Rubery. Other publishing outlets include: the Bridport Prize, Unthank Books, Riptide and Best New Writing. She has also had work performed in London, Hong Kong and New York.
Incendiary by Tanya Farrelly
Tanya Farrelly is the author of two books: The Girl Behind the Lens, a psychological literary thriller, and When Black Dogs Sing, a short story collection. Her work has been shortlisted for several prizes, such as the Hennessy and the Francis MacManus Awards. Her stories have appeared in numerous literary journals such as The Incubator and Crannog magazine, as well as being broadcast on national radio. Tanya lives in Bray, Co Wicklow and runs a monthly Spoken Word event called Staccato.
Tanya Farrelly is the author of two books: The Girl Behind the Lens, a psychological literary thriller, and When Black Dogs Sing, a short story collection. Her work has been shortlisted for several prizes, such as the Hennessy and the Francis MacManus Awards. Her stories have appeared in numerous literary journals such as The Incubator and Crannog magazine, as well as being broadcast on national radio. Tanya lives in Bray, Co Wicklow and runs a monthly Spoken Word event called Staccato.
Longlist
Abha Iyengar
Alan McCormick
Alison Lock
Anna Foley
Bonny Brooks
Catherine McNamara
Colum Sanson-Regan
David Butler
Esther Jacoby
Farah Ahamed
Fatima Zareen
Helen de Búrca
Kalpu Shah
Liza Nash Taylor
Lynda Kirby
Lynsey May
Marc Woodward
Martin Heavisides
Mohammad Zahid
Mona Dash
Neil Campbell
Petra McQueen
Philippa Holloway
Rob Nisbet
Sabin Iqbal
Sarah Evans
Tanya Farrelly
Tony Concannon
Wendy Shreve
Longlist
Abha Iyengar
Alan McCormick
Alison Lock
Anna Foley
Bonny Brooks
Catherine McNamara
Colum Sanson-Regan
David Butler
Esther Jacoby
Farah Ahamed
Fatima Zareen
Helen de Búrca
Kalpu Shah
Liza Nash Taylor
Lynda Kirby
Lynsey May
Marc Woodward
Martin Heavisides
Mohammad Zahid
Mona Dash
Neil Campbell
Petra McQueen
Philippa Holloway
Rob Nisbet
Sabin Iqbal
Sarah Evans
Tanya Farrelly
Tony Concannon
Wendy Shreve