New Zealand writers take the honours in monthly Global Short Story Story competition.

Run by Certys Limited, based in Darlington, County Durham, England, the competition runs every month and this story relates to the June winners but I am running it now as it gives full details of the competiton below which may be of interest to some readers of Beattie's Book Blog.

First place in June, and the £100 prize money, went to Liliane Parkinson, of Auckland, with Triple S, of which competition judge, the writer Fiona Cooper said: “This very succinct story pleases on many levels: the main character has learned to live with her dreadful situation and the language reflects her resignation and acceptance. I do not usually feel that poetry within the body of a short story text works, but in this case it does.”

The highly commended story, winning £25, was written by Wendy Craig, of Wellsford, of whose story The Watcher Fiona said: “A well sustained story with a few twists that please and sustain interest. It is fascinating how different perceptions of actions bring different conclusions and the writer has used this very well.”

The competition, which has run for a year and a half and numbers among its supporters Bill Bryson, attracts entries from around the planet, from the United States and Canada to Australia and New Zealand, from India and Singapore to Ireland and the United Kingdom. There have also been entries from across Continental Europe.

Certys director and competition administrator, the crime novelist John Dean, said: “Every month we uncover exciting new stories from writers keen to have their voice heard. We are not looking for the big names of the industry but for those who aspire to success.
“We know from the feedback that we receive that our writers appreciate the boost that success in the competition gives them.“

Writers wishing to find out more about the competition, or send entries electronically, should visit http://www.globalshortstories.net/
Those who would rather post their entries, rather than go through the website, can send them to John Dean at 18 Milbank Court, Darlington, Co Durham, England, DL3 9PF, or to the Certys office at Livingstone House, 29 High Northgate, Darlington, Co Durham, England DL1 1UQ, marked Global Short Story Competition, and containing a £5 entry fee.

John can be contacted on 01325-463813 or emailed at john.dean@certys.co.uk