Friday, July 12, 2013

Rave in winter

I'm utterly overwhelmed to have won short FICTION's 7th Annual Competition with my story "While Women Rage in Winter".

I said a little while ago on Facebook that little beats the excitement of making the shortlist of this prize (I made the shortlist last year, too), but I take it back; winning tops being the shortlist kid - I have a perma-grin and an aching jaw to prove it!

My sincerest thanks go to Tom Vowler - a writer whose own work I admire immensely - and to short FICTION Editor, Anthony Caleshu, and to the University of Plymouth Press.


28 comments:

Anonymous said...

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!

Rachel Fenton said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Donna! x

Frances said...

Congratulations and I look forward to reading your story in Short Fiction. What a wonderful title!

Anonymous said...

I agree, short-listing or honorable mention is a great, great feeling. Can't imagine what it feels to actually win something. Warmest congratulations from a couple continents away, Rae! You deserve it. :)

Rachel Fenton said...

Thank you, Frances - and I'm really happy you like the title!

Rachel Fenton said...

Jamez - your win must be very close! You're a super-talent! Thanks so much for your support!

Lori said...

Wow! Amazing, Rachel! I'm so happy. And yes, the title is awesome! This is so great! I hope you're giving yourself permission to enjoy the success fully.

Rachel Fenton said...

Thank you, Lori! I'm grinning lots - if that counts! xx

Teresa Stenson said...

This is soooooo ace. Lovely brilliant news - I can't wait to read your story.

YES YES YES! (she says on all social media platforms)

Rachel Fenton said...

Thank you soooo much, Teresa! It's out in November - I'd love to know what you think of it. xxx

Michelle Elvy said...

Wonderful news, Rachel! Wow. Can't wait to read the story... :)

Rachel Fenton said...

Thank you, Michelle! Hope you enjoy the story when you read it x

dan powell said...

Congratulations. Looking forward to reading the story.

Rachel Fenton said...

Thanks very much, Dan. Congratulations on your forthcoming publication, too.

martine said...

Congratulations

Rachel Fenton said...

Thank you, Martine :)

Group 8 said...

Thrilled for you, Rachel. Well deserved, no doubt. Nuala x

Rachel Fenton said...

Thank you, Nuala - you've always been so supportive and I'm eternally grateful to you x

Richard said...

Rachel - I've been out of touch. Congratulations! You work hard and have a lot of talent. Regards, Richard

Rachel Fenton said...

Hi Richard, good to see you here. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Huge congrats Rachel - well done

Rachel Fenton said...

Thanks very much, Lane :)

chillcat said...

Fanbloddytastic! I have a story in that issue too - we can be Short Fiction Sistas but you rule the roost! Can't wait to read your piece xxcat

Rachel Fenton said...

Oh brilliant you're in the issue, too! How cool is that?! Super looking forward to reading you! Heeeeeeeheeeeeeeeeee!

Richard said...

Rachel I'm glad for you and others as in many cases: you (they) are talented, work hard, have often difficulties of being a mother and much else.

I've never won a lit. competition. I have entered a few (mainly) as I was hoping for some do re mi at the time! A great motivator!

But I repeat that in the mag where I saw one of your stories it was one of the most interesting things in the whole issue.

Rachel Fenton said...

Thank you, Richard, I appreciate your thoughtful comment. It's difficult to fit in the writing time - not just with being a mum, but with having no outside help/family at hand. I think you know how protective I am of waht writing time I get!

And that's a great endorsement for my writing from you. Thank you.

I just write what moves me. It's really the only advice I can give. I'm very lucky that my story resonated with those reading it.

How are you getting on with those story ideas you mentioned to me?

Richard said...

Thanks. I started on the story based on my mother's experience. Of course the difficulty if "fictionalizing" it, as of course, a short story is quite unlike poetry (where I often work in quite intuitive way); but I am studying how other writers do short stories.

I once, when I re-started writing ca 1988, went to a short story course run by Michael Morrissey. It was very good. (I had wanted to go to a poetry course but there were none near at the time). But I will keep working and practicing.

Rachel Fenton said...

Great stuff. Don't worry about fictionalising in the first draft - just get the bones of it down. Sounds like you're on your way with it, though, which is great.

I imagine Morrissey is a wonderful teacher to learn from.

Best of luck with the work.