Short story competition: The 10 talented writers in frame for our prestigious prize

When The Sunday Post launched its inaugural Short Story Competition for amateur writers last year, we were blown away by the response with more than 80 diverse entries flooding in from across the UK and overseas.

We were looking for original, never-before-published stories of between 1,500 and 2,000 words in the categories of Romance/RomCom, Thriller/ Crime/Mystery, Comedy, Historical, Family/Drama/ Tragedy and Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

And we were delighted in November to announce the overall winner, Peter Bray, who was chosen from a shortlist of 10.

A retired psychiatric nurse from Glasgow, he took the coveted champion’s title for his poignant family tale, My Changing Face.

© Andrew Cawley

Peter, 69, who said the competition changed his life, was presented with his prize – a year’s membership with the Writers’ HQ – by bestselling author Alex Gray and The Sunday Post Editor Dave Lord.

So successful was the contest, that, bowing to popular demand, our editor decided it should run again in 2024.

Back on board to judge this year’s event is a glittering panel of judges: No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency author Sir Alexander McCall Smith, and Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival founders Lin Anderson and Alex Gray. Together with The Sunday Post and P.S. magazine Books Editor Sally McDonald, they have been assessing a bumper crop of entries from readers as far afield as New Zealand.

And now, our judges can reveal their shortlist – the top 10 stories they have selected from a crop of more than 100 – with the first, second and third-place winners to be announced on November 24.

MEET OUR FINALISTS

The 10 finalists in The Sunday Post’s Short Story Writing Competition 2024 are:

Pauline Causey, a 60-year-old media consultant and mum-oftwo from Falmouth in Cornwall, for her intriguing digital crime story The Golden Bucket.

Vanessa Cole, 51, a freelance vicar from Andover in Hampshire for her chilling suspense thriller, The Brokenness Of Jessica Jane.

Paul Durrant, 69, a director of a not-for-profit organisation from Broughty Ferry, for In A Frozen Eye, a lyrical and ethereal exploration of love, loss and the nature of time.

Anne Forte, 71, a retired art teacher and painter from Fife, for her tender and poignant tragedy Marjery Is Leaving.

Carol Kirkwood, 66, a retired teacher and former NHS project officer, from Linlithgow, for Blue Hen, an exquisitely crafted and gentle tale of grief, displacement and restoration.

Lorraine MacBeath, 63, a mum of-two and a pupil support assistant from Nairn, for her highly original family drama, Wake Up And Be Awesome.

David Pendreigh, 66, a retired IT auditor from Edinburgh – who was third last year – for his comedic family drama A Relative Rarity.

Claire Poole, 70, a retired veterinarian-turned counsellor from Newburgh, Fife, for her gruesome historical thriller Senseless.

Paul Rees, 46, a managing director from Cardiff for his absorbing social satire The Second.

Morna Sullivan, 57, a civil servant from Country Antrim, for her engaging tale Class Writing.

Thrilled judge Alex Gray said: “The standard of entries this year was high and a pleasure to read. So many different stories made the final top 10, making the eventual winner very hard to choose.

“That all shows what good writers are out there still to be published.”

Lin Anderson said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for budding writers and a life-changer for those who reach the finals.”

Alexander McCall Smith said: “A short story competition is often the way in which a writer begins a professional career. With this competition, The Sunday Post is doing a great service.”

Editor Dave Lord added: “The Sunday Post is thrilled and honoured to provide a springboard into the literary world for undiscovered talent.

“We suspected that our readership harboured many supremely gifted individuals, and we are delighted to find we are right. Good luck to all.”