All first prize winners published by us are invited to write for the following edition
outside of the competition as well in the belief that
' ART IS A PROCESS NOT A PRODUCT '
(Julia Cameron, 'The Artist's Way')
The best entries are included in a professionally produced book which is then sent to companies
and individuals as an advertisement for the writers. It is also meant to be fun. I undertake to send
not fewer than 30 copies of the next book to people who should be looking for writers, stories and
articles. Suggestions for review copy recipients very welcome. We feel that this is more worthwhile
than a cash prize but as the competition grows this is not excluded. Actual sales of the book are
tiny but when that changes I will compensate significant contributors appropriately.
The title of the book of the May competition (due out in July) is
'Words Catch Fire'
Introduction. Memories by Madelaine
I promise you are not going to enjoy this.
Today I was served moist fruitcake with cherries by Madelaine. Normally vocal
as she feeds me with a plastic fork today she understood silence was required. Her
presence eclipsed by the moon of pure memory.
My grandmother's memory is invoked. She was Edwardian, short and round and smelled of the era like
the fruitcakes in shallow embossed plain 'tin' tins in her pantry. I used to slip in and open one after another.
Biscuits, dried fruit, and brown soft almonds and sweets, humbugs or clove sweets for dulling the resultant
toothache. And the fruitcakes of course.
The cleverest writers ( and one in particular) can talk of things that have passed whilst adding to the readers'
appreciation of their own lives, but what of us here? Should we even try at the risk of self-indulgence?
Many wise people tell us to live for the moment.
The smell entranced me as Madelaine lifted pieces to my mouth. I let her hold
it under my nose. My thoughts alone are enough to control her. I only speak to the big
man, the head chef in his white uniform. When he comes my arms are released.
Today he doesn’t come and Madelaine feeds me sleep a while later. Living for the moment: who
more so than a Jazz player? Problem; they often care more for sparking off each other than
they do about the audience. Could anybody here be accused of that?
As I fall asleep I remember in snatches why I am here. I distilled my life into words and
freedom. They search in me the secret of the free man; to kill him.
I hear his cries echoing around my skull and see occasional footprints.
There are many of us here. Writers who distil their life into insights and moonshine.
They write in the hope of making sense of life or of making money. Insanity.
Poor Souls all, as you shall read. Stories of delight, skyborne artists, love beginning, love renewing,
transformations. Freudian gravity deathwave horror, unfolding lies, fairytale as truth, human/animal
spirit transfusion and revenge and deadly games of consequences- memories and the moment - all
will echo in your skull.
And you thought France was for holidays.
Footprints. You have been warned!
Prologue .
The Skywalker
by Christine Genovese
Words Catch Fire
Harry's New Year Gift by Walter M Holme
Reminisences by Vivien Clark
The Swans of Grenoble by S Y Adam Asmal
The Judas Tree by Diane Jackman
The Hunters by Anne Durrant
The Visit by Margaret M Gomersal
The Teignmouth Longshot by Robin Hooppell
Chorus of Nymphs - Poems by Anita Louise Whitfield
Lucky Dip by Christine, Vivian Clarke and John B Phillpot
He and She by Christine Low
Where the Squirrels and the Sangliers Play
by Amy Harrold (1st Prize) -
Holiday Bliss by Kimberley Sullivan
A Love of Opposites by Jan Vivian
The Red Dress by Kerry Chiron (hors competition)
Last Farewell by Walter M Holmes (1st Prize) -
Epilogue
La Mer Refusa by Garth Bell
freudian gravity deathwave horror?
.
.
. .
outside of the competition as well in the belief that
' ART IS A PROCESS NOT A PRODUCT '
(Julia Cameron, 'The Artist's Way')
The best entries are included in a professionally produced book which is then sent to companies
and individuals as an advertisement for the writers. It is also meant to be fun. I undertake to send
not fewer than 30 copies of the next book to people who should be looking for writers, stories and
articles. Suggestions for review copy recipients very welcome. We feel that this is more worthwhile
than a cash prize but as the competition grows this is not excluded. Actual sales of the book are
tiny but when that changes I will compensate significant contributors appropriately.
The title of the book of the May competition (due out in July) is
'Words Catch Fire'
Introduction. Memories by Madelaine
I promise you are not going to enjoy this.
Today I was served moist fruitcake with cherries by Madelaine. Normally vocal
as she feeds me with a plastic fork today she understood silence was required. Her
presence eclipsed by the moon of pure memory.
My grandmother's memory is invoked. She was Edwardian, short and round and smelled of the era like
the fruitcakes in shallow embossed plain 'tin' tins in her pantry. I used to slip in and open one after another.
Biscuits, dried fruit, and brown soft almonds and sweets, humbugs or clove sweets for dulling the resultant
toothache. And the fruitcakes of course.
The cleverest writers ( and one in particular) can talk of things that have passed whilst adding to the readers'
appreciation of their own lives, but what of us here? Should we even try at the risk of self-indulgence?
Many wise people tell us to live for the moment.
The smell entranced me as Madelaine lifted pieces to my mouth. I let her hold
it under my nose. My thoughts alone are enough to control her. I only speak to the big
man, the head chef in his white uniform. When he comes my arms are released.
Today he doesn’t come and Madelaine feeds me sleep a while later. Living for the moment: who
more so than a Jazz player? Problem; they often care more for sparking off each other than
they do about the audience. Could anybody here be accused of that?
As I fall asleep I remember in snatches why I am here. I distilled my life into words and
freedom. They search in me the secret of the free man; to kill him.
I hear his cries echoing around my skull and see occasional footprints.
There are many of us here. Writers who distil their life into insights and moonshine.
They write in the hope of making sense of life or of making money. Insanity.
Poor Souls all, as you shall read. Stories of delight, skyborne artists, love beginning, love renewing,
transformations. Freudian gravity deathwave horror, unfolding lies, fairytale as truth, human/animal
spirit transfusion and revenge and deadly games of consequences- memories and the moment - all
will echo in your skull.
And you thought France was for holidays.
Footprints. You have been warned!
Prologue .
The Skywalker
by Christine Genovese
Words Catch Fire
Harry's New Year Gift by Walter M Holme
Reminisences by Vivien Clark
The Swans of Grenoble by S Y Adam Asmal
The Judas Tree by Diane Jackman
The Hunters by Anne Durrant
The Visit by Margaret M Gomersal
The Teignmouth Longshot by Robin Hooppell
Chorus of Nymphs - Poems by Anita Louise Whitfield
Lucky Dip by Christine, Vivian Clarke and John B Phillpot
He and She by Christine Low
Where the Squirrels and the Sangliers Play
by Amy Harrold (1st Prize) -
Holiday Bliss by Kimberley Sullivan
A Love of Opposites by Jan Vivian
The Red Dress by Kerry Chiron (hors competition)
Last Farewell by Walter M Holmes (1st Prize) -
Epilogue
La Mer Refusa by Garth Bell
freudian gravity deathwave horror?
.
.
. .
Our book produced from the November 2011 competition
paperback, 192 pages
Published by Minimalist Books
Featuring work by Christine Genovese, Kerry Chiron, Walter M Holmes, Michel the Minimalist,
Anne Durrant, Norman Longworth, John B Philpott and Robin Hooppell
Love, War, Food, Sex, Witchcraft, Life, Art, Boldly Going,
Life under the Microscope and if you haven't read Michel the Minimalist you haven't lived
Why wouldn't you buy this book? Just don't let your kids your see it!
So much magic they could re-name France 'The Pentangle'!
paperback, 192 pages
Published by Minimalist Books
Featuring work by Christine Genovese, Kerry Chiron, Walter M Holmes, Michel the Minimalist,
Anne Durrant, Norman Longworth, John B Philpott and Robin Hooppell
Love, War, Food, Sex, Witchcraft, Life, Art, Boldly Going,
Life under the Microscope and if you haven't read Michel the Minimalist you haven't lived
Why wouldn't you buy this book? Just don't let your kids your see it!
So much magic they could re-name France 'The Pentangle'!
Button is link to www. KUDOSWRITINGCOMPETITIONS
writing competition