Glasgow Student Short Story Prize 2009

Judged by A.L. Kennedy
Edited by Elisabeth Ingram, Rebecca CF Bradburd and Jose Velazquez

Foreword

This was extremely difficult to judge - all of the shortlist entries had strengths and points to recommend them, so I had to look for small faults, or failures to sustain early clarity, or lapses in style, confusions of purpose - things that a few more rewrites would mend. Of course, a word limit puts on extra pressure and some of these pieces might have benefitted from some more wiggle room.

I would place Taking Care of Joseph first. It has a good title, it knows what it's doing and does exactly that. There is clarity here and clarity of purpose, no writing for the sake of it, of pushing towards poetry without there being a justification for it in the piece. It's tight, smooth writing. So, well done.

Second place would go to Catching the Number 79 Bus, which was really pushing the limits of the form, dealing extremely efficiently and effectively with point of view, with key details and genuine emotion. Well done again.

Third place would go to He Wasn't Half Late for the fine ear for tone and point of view.

I'd also mention McLeish and In A Pickle, Discomfort Food and Heron - which had some very strong areas.

And Guga would also get a mention - and an additional point for being gannet-related.

I'm very sorry there aren't more prizes. Congratulations to all concerned and keep writing.

 ALK
August 2009