The results of the 2021 Page & Blackmore Booksellers Short Story Competition were announced on 4 June at an event at the Jellyfish Restaurant in Mapua.

All shortlisted entries receive a certificate and placegetters receive cash from NZSA Top of the South Branch and book vouchers from Page & Blackmore Booksellers in Nelson.

First:

‘Cause and Consequence’ by Heather Holmes (Richmond)

$250 cash and $250 book voucher

Second:
‘Sparros’ by Dick Ward (Whanganui)
$150 and $150 book voucher

Third:
‘God of the Sea’ by Molly Crighton (Dunedin)
$100 and $100 book voucher

Commended (in alphabetical order of author’s last name):

‘Too Old for the Park’ by Lilla Csorgo (Carterton)

‘Living with Mister P’ by Sue England (Mapua)
‘Slow Down’ by Juliana Feaver (Christchurch)

‘How Can I Help You?’ by Edna Heled (Auckland)

‘The Golem Father’ by Emma Neale (Dunedin)

‘Crop Circles’ by Vaughan Rapatahana (Mangakino)

‘The Storm’ by Julie Taylor (Tirau)

The judge, Rajorshi Chakraborti, commented:

‘While each of the winning stories is very different in style and subject, what I found they had in common was great confidence in handling their material as well as skill at accommodating their telling within the restrictions of the word limit without sacrificing nuance, complexity or detail. Each felt perfectly drawn to scale. Each felt as though they had mastered the style and register needed to tell this particular story vividly and convincingly. My sincere congratulations to the winners, but in fact to the writers of all the stories I read. I deeply enjoyed your work, and the worlds you gifted to your readers. Thank you, all.’

Heather Holmes (First) was present in person at Mapua, while Dick Ward (Second) and Molly Crighton (Third) attended via Zoom. The stories can be read online now on the branch’s website from this page: http://www.topwriters.co.nz/page–blackmore-competition.html

They will also appear in a print anthology, Horizons 5, which will be published later this year. Each contributor receives a free copy and has the opportunity to purchase further copies at a discounted price. More details will follow.