Emma Lee-Potter

Emma Lee-Potter is a freelance journalist, specialising in education. She began her career on a local newspaper in Devon and later worked as a news reporter for the Evening Standard and Sunday Express. After completing an MA in Novel Writing at the University of Manchester in 1993 she wrote three novels and self-published a children’s novel. After a long gap she has only recently started writing fiction again. She is the author of Interviewing for Journalists, a textbook for journalism students, and lives by the sea in Dorset.

Our judge, Victoria Howard, commented: - “After Jasper”

An exceedingly well-written entry with a good immediate opening, giving the reader a sense of time, place, and character. There’s depth to the characterisation which made me eager to continue reading. I enjoyed the author’s description of Vitty’s night shift in the deserted newsroom. It set the tone for her subsequent change of circumstances and the discovery that Jasper had died. The descriptions of the Dorset coast are wonderful. I look forward to reading the finished book.

Jane Bitomsky

Jane is a historian living in New Zealand with her young family. Her PhD in early modern English history provoked an interest in the voices of marginalised, working-class Englishwomen from the seventeenth century. She has published in a range of academic journals, and volunteers as a writer and baker for NZ charity Good Bitches Baking. She was awarded third place in the First Novel Prize (2022), and was shortlisted for the Michael Gifkins Prize (2023).

Our judge, Victoria Howard, commented: - “A Foundling's Sin”

This entry is well-written, a delight to read and has a lovely atmosphere. The author obviously spent time researching 17th Century London and the clothing worn by the rich and poor. The vivid descriptions are excellent and draw the reader in. I could almost smell the spiced ale and baked goods as Repentance makes her way to Cheapside. The dialogue is appropriate for the 17th Century. Written in the first person, Repentance is a wonderful character. I felt her vulnerability in the prologue as she sat in Newgate Prison awaiting her fate. Well done.

Jason Mann

Jason Mann is a journalist and writer with a passion for Cornwall’s wild coasts and moorlands. He has swum and surfed in Cornwall much of his life and, in fact, his father was one of the county’s early lifeguards. Stories recounted by his mother and father and his own adventures are often the inspiration for his works. Aside from writing, he is a shore-based volunteer for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Our judge, Victoria Howard, commented: - “The Echoing Shore”

This entry too, had a very strong opening with the prologue introducing the reader to the disappearance of the Talan Bray in 1991, with the loss of all onboard, creating a feeling of mystery. The action then switches to a struggling newspaper ten years later and Great characterisation and extremely well-written. Well done.

Liz Meyer

Liz Meyer lives in North Dorset with her four Dalmatians. She started writing five years ago on a course entitled ‘Writing for the terrified’. Having never written before and feeling very shy of reading out any of her work, the name appealed. She quickly gained confidence as she found the classes a great inspiration. Since starting to write she has had several short stories published in women’s magazines, has had three stories ‘highly commended’ in Writers Forum magazine and been longlisted and shortlisted in a number of competitions. Liz enjoys reading historical fiction amongst other genres and likes novels by Philippa Gregory, Kate Morton, Patrick Gale and Stacey Halls amongst others. She is absolutely delighted with her first place and feels spurred on to continue developing her writing. Her ambition now is to write a novel and next year she aims to be entering that category of the competition.

Our judge, Steve Kay, commented: - “Late Summer Blossom”

What a great title! It fits the story perfectly. The first sentence carries you straight into the setting and places you at the side of the character. The reader immediately warms to her and wills her on. The secondary characters (Lily and Mrs Biggs) are also made to feel real with a few deft strokes of the pen. The goal at the end is almost lost and it has a very satisfying ending. The writing is lovely – with just enough words to leave the reader to fill in the rest. Very strong images are conjured up of little splashes, oases, of colour (and scent) against a drab (and musty-smelling) backdrop: the flower shop, the flowers in the back garden and on the sideboard (See – you didn’t even mention a sideboard and yet there it is!) Thanks for writing this.

Rosemary Stride

Rosemary Stride arrived in Brisbane in 1975 as a ten-pound POM. Originally trained as a nurse, she later completed an Arts degree with First Class Honours at the University of Queensland and taught secondary English for seventeen years. Since completing an MA (Writing) in 2016 she has experienced some success with creative non-fiction and short story writing. In retirement she enjoys travelling, writing, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.

Our judge, Steve Kay, commented: - “Wreath”

The story opens really well – we are shown where we are and immediately have images in our heads and are intrigued. The mystery unfolds slowly, satisfyingly – the wreath the hymn, the cardboard folder – drawing us further in. The character of the mother and father are deftly and economically drawn – we feel we know them by seven paragraphs in: “oh, yes, I know the type” and could probably describe them even without that information being there. We also get to understand the narrator as the story progresses and how it impacts upon her. The end is lovely: “our secret – and our solace.”

Dr Dianne Bown-Wilson

Dr Dianne Bown-Wilson grew up in New Zealand and now lives in Dartmoor National Park. She is a member of Exeter Writers. In recent years her short fiction has won prizes in numerous competitions including Flash 500, Henshaw, Leicester Writes, Writing Magazine, the Exeter Literary Festival, Writers’ Forum, Hastings Writers Room and the National Association of Writers Groups. She has published two collections of her award-winning stories: Instructions for Living, and Degrees of Exposure. With her first novel currently on submission, she is optimistically working on her second.

Our judge, Steve Kay, commented: - “No Rule Book for Old Men”

A great story. The main character is deftly drawn – we can get a picture of him straightaway and that draws the reader in. The disjoint between generations is funny and well-observed. The revelation, when it comes, is satisfying: that Simon has more respect for his father than he credits himself with – that Simon really is a product of his upbringing, not his different genetics, and that the narrator has done a great job in bringing up a son. It achieves that goal of making the reader reflect on something beyond the story and perhaps to their own experience.

Jane Thorp

Jane Thorp's work has been published in many poetry magazines. She has been commended, shortlisted, or longlisted in The Plough Poetry Prize, The Bridport Poetry Prize, Binsted Poetry Prize, Segora International Prize, Shoreham Wordfest, and Slipstream Poets Prize. Her work has also been published in a children’s anthology, in hand-printed art books, and in a printmaker’s journal.

Our judge, Jesssica Mookherjee, commented: - “The Wind River Reservation & St Michael's Mission”

I chose this as the winner because there is a great sense of place evoked by the poet. On top of that the poet keeps an effective rhythm that holds through the poem. The poem captures a quiet event and a mystery. The poem does not over describe and lets the reader wonder about the reverend, the reservation and the place they are driving to and the meaning of the church they have stumbled upon.

Jenny Hunt

Jenny is a writer and artist living in a medieval cottage in West Dorset. In 2001 she was awarded an MA in Creative Writing (with distinction) from Bath Spa University. Since then she has been successful in many poetry and nature-writing competitions. Her work has been included in anthologies (recently, 100 Poems to Save the Earth, published by Seren) and her poetry has appeared in literary magazines. After being runner-up twice in the Nature Writer of the Year competition run by the BBC Wildlife Magazine, she became one of their local-patch reporters, publishing weekly blogs about the natural world. Jenny is thrilled to have been placed for three years running in the Yeovil Poetry Prize. Both her writing and her art are inspired by the countryside and coast of Dorset and the Isles of Scilly.

Our judge, Jesssica Mookherjee, commented: - “Sea Carrot”

Reading this poem a couple of times you wonder if the Sea Carrot’s threadbare head is a metaphor for an ageing person, who is on the ‘edge of things’ and ready for the next phase of life (perhaps even death) or perhaps its a vivid, sparse description of a wild tenacious wild flower blown about by life. I liked the ambiguity and the form of the poem.

Richard Pierce

I first performed this poem at the Rich Mix cultural centre Shoreditch during the open mic section of ' Jawdance ' where it had drawn gasps from a large audience as I had introduced it by listing the names of some of London's deceased from knife crime already that year ... Jay Jay, Prince, Keith Palmer and Stephen. Apart from 'Westminster' 2017 had also seen Manchester and GRENFELL all of which I have covered. The way Jessica has described my work is exemplary and I'd like to invite her to read ' A Similar Name ' where unbeknown to me at the time of writing the subject matter was actually a singer too as the other who will also have been lost 3 decades come next year.

Our judge, Jesssica Mookherjee, commented: - “Stephen”

Poems about injustice can be sometimes very heavy to carry. Here is a poem with a mighty subject and a brave issue to tackle, the murder of Stephen Lawrence. As such the poem does not stay in anger and injustice but moves into elegy and endurance - which gives the poem a spirit and a hymn-like quality. It is an apt act that poetry can convey; a memorial for a life lost.

Stephanie Ward

Stephanie Ward spent many years writing press releases before realising that it was much more fun to make up stories for children. She is the author of picture book Arabella and the Magic Pencil (EK Books) and board book Hello Shark! (Imagine That). The Aliens Are Coming! (I'm 99.36% sure this time.) is her first foray into the middle grade genre and Stephanie is over the moon that it has landed on the brilliant Yeovil Literary Prize list. She currently lives and writes in London with her husband and young son.

Our judge, Hannah Gold, commented: - “The Aliens Are Coming!”

Not only did this feel original and quirky in concept, I loved the voice and tone of the writing and it felt like something middle-grade readers would really enjoy. It also made me laugh out loud which is always a good thing!

Jean McIntosh

Jean’s career was mostly in academia following a BSc degree from the London School of Economics and a PhD from the University of Aberdeen. Her ambition to write for children grew from the enjoyment of reading to her two sons. Her first novel for children was self-published and was short listed for the 2018 International Rubery Book Award. She lives in Dorset, loves walking in the New Forest and is currently working on her fourth children’s novel.

Our judge, Hannah Gold, commented: - “The Poisoned Wood”

I loved the quest-like plotting and the idea that it's down to the 3 tiniest of creatures to save their beloved wood. I thought the characterisation was strong and it felt like a story children could get invested in.

Denarii Peters

Karl is an Irish writer and professional actor based in Dublin. Author of a children’s book The Most Beautiful Letter In The World (The O’Brien Press), he has had several radio plays produced by RTE, and had theatre plays produced in Dublin and New York, with various prose works and poetry broadcast and published elsewhere.

Our judge, Hannah Gold, commented: - “A Glimpse of Silver Salmon”

Denarii Peters was born in the north-west of England but now lives in the county of Lincolnshire. A former primary school teacher, she spends her days writing stories and drinking a lot of coffee. She has written around a dozen novels aimed at young adults of which A Glimpse of Silver Salmon is a prequel to the main story arc. In the last year or so she has concentrated on shorter pieces, achieving longlist or better in around 40 competitions across the world, including four third places, one second and two winning entries. This has resulted in 15 of her stories being published in print and on line.

I was particularly impressed by how this started in the thick of action and never let up. It felt full of peril and intrigue and I like how it set up a possible romance between the two central players.

Hamid Harasani

Hamid Harasani is a Saudi lawyer. Having divided his life between living in the east and west, Hamid has always taken a fascination into how different cultures interact and co-exist He has published various articles and treatises on comparative law, and earned his PhD from King’s College London in 2014. This year his short story Deferred will be published by Bridge House Publishing in its forthcoming anthology titled Gifted. Hamid lives with his wife and four children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Our judge, Sally Bayley, commented: - “When the Rain Stops”

The structure of the story is elegant and has a clear emotional logic. The author has conjured a convincing and moving world of loneliness and isolation within one particular stringent routine during the Covid era (that of Charles Linzell). The story then opens up to wider considerations about the meaning of daily life and the way we structure our routines accordingly to make meaning when meaning is hard to find: when life is closed down. On the level of the sentence the story is also elegant and whilst there are a few details that don't quite ring true the movement between the scenes reads like a miniature play and is successful in this regard. As a short narrative drama. Stylistically it was the one most sophisticated of the pieces I read and the style and content resonate well together. Finally, a definite sense of voice holds the story together, voice being perhaps the most crucial element in any creative writing endeavour.

Stephen Morrison-Burke

Stephen is a writer from the Midlands. Prior to writing fiction, he travelled up and down the country performing spoken word poetry. Some of his achievements include being named Birmingham Poet Laureate 2012/13, performing on BBC Radio 4, and becoming National Poetry Slam Champion. Stephen was the first recipient to be awarded the Kit de Waal Scholarship, after winning a nationwide competition aimed at underrepresented writers. The prize allowed him to study part time for an MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck University, graduating two years later. In 2018, Stephen was asked to perform a poem for a television advert, which aired again during lockdown in 2021.

In addition to fiction and poetry, Stephen also enjoys writing non-fiction and had an essay published in an anthology called SAFE. He was also commissioned to write an article for the Irish Times on the lack of working-class writers in literature and is currently shortlisted in another competition after recently completing his first novel.

Our judge, Sally Bayley, commented: - “15 Overbury”

This piece reads like a well-documented drama. I found it's world building to be convincing and it therefore drew me in as reader. I would say this is more of a documented memoir piece but the author has managed to build a world that could easily be turned into a piece of televised drama. A play. Details are used excellently and the punctuation of dialogue with dramatic movement forward through the horrific incidents of murder are handled with wit and aplomb. There is humour even in this dark world. At times the rim of the story is lost as the structure and content run into forms of reportage (journalism) rather than through story but the voice is strong and holds the world of 'Overbury' together. It was the voice and dramatic structure that convinced me above all. And of course there is a place for cross genre writing (fictionalised narrative journalism).

Frances Thimann

I have published four collections of stories, and there is something with a musical connection in most of them. I would now like to complete a collection wholly about or around musical subjects and ideas - music was my very first interest and study. So I am delighted that this piece has done well here, and I would like to thank the judge for her comments, and the Yeovil Festival for this unusual category ‘Writing Without Restrictions’ which holds so much possibility.

I completed the MA in Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University in 2006, and am a member of the Nottingham Writers’ Studio and the Society of Authors.

Our judge, Sally Bayley, commented: - “End Notes”

This is a beautifully written beautifully structured short piece of lyrical writing designed as a poetic fragment in the voice of Anna Magdalena Bach. It is quite different from the other two pieces and probably deserves to be a joint 2nd or even 1st place. It is very difficult to compare apples to oranges but this is a beautifully structured piece of fragmentary lyrical writing which reads as a kind of epigraph to an invisible life: a life led as the wife of a famous composer. It is a miniature biography in lyrical form and could perhaps be set to music. The structure and the tone is unpretentious, pellucid and moving and builds slowly like a fragment of classical music (not baroque but perhaps in song form). This is the most beautiful of the pieces I read but it is also more slight (a narrative fragment) and therefore has suffered as a result in a competition where stories and reportage dominated. But I want to give it due praise because in some sense it is its own category and is therefore a unique winner.