Brightlingsea Literary Festival’s first ever short story competition, with a Spooky Tales theme, is all set for a spine-chilling finale on Wednesday, February 26.
The competition attracted a wide range of entries and the winners will be announced at a special evening, which is free and open to over 18s, at the Railway Tavern in Brightlingsea, starting at 7pm.
The event will feature all 10 of the shortlisted stories, many being read by the authors. The evening will culminate with the announcement of the three winners who will receive their prizes, certificates and feedback from the judges.
There will also be a touch of spooky music, featuring one of the competition’s judges, author and talented musician Peter Gurton, who writes fast-paced thrillers under the name of T G Trouper.
He said: “Judging the short stories was a fun thing to do and the standard was so high it was difficult to pick out a shortlist. I am looking forward to the presentation evening and meeting the writers.”
The other judges for the competition were Jane Langan, co-founder and director of Castle Priory Press, Lily Lawson, a poet and short story writer who has also produced a range of books for children and award winning poet and writer Louise Wilford.
The shortlisted stories for the Spooky Tales competition are:
Brightlingsea Literary Festival is now in its third year and is running in association with Brightlingsea WinterFest, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
The Literary Festival will culminate in a sparkling evening of Poetry, Prose and Prosecco at the Thames Estuary Lobster Hatchery in Brightlingsea on Saturday March 15, starting at 6pm. Tickets are priced at £10, from Little Boat Gifts in New Street, Brightlingsea.
Author and musician Peter Gurton, who writes under the name of T G Trouper and was one of the judges for the Spooky Tales competition, is pictured with some of his own books.
