Start of big things

Last updated 05:00 01/11/2009

Photo: Lawrence Smith

Secondary schools winner Anna Krepinsky with judge Fleur Beale.

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THERE'S NOTHING like a deadline to get the creative juices flowing. Nearly half of the 1447 entries to the 25th Sunday Star-Times Short Story Open Division arrived in the final week, with some writers delivering them by hand to ensure they met the deadline. Another 300 came from secondary school students.

It was a record year for entries, up more than 200 on the previous year, which shows the continued importance of our renowned writing awards.

This year the Short Story Awards – in association with Random House New Zealand – moved forward to be part of New Zealand Book Month. We introduced a new award, the People's Choice, so that readers could have their say on the best story in an online vote. Voting was enthusiastic and the lead changed several times, so our thanks to all those who voted.

The winners were announced on Tuesday night, when the literati gathered at the Auckland City Gallery Art Lounge. The event was hosted by Star-Times columnist Finlay Macdonald, while broadcaster Jim Mora gave an entertaining armchair reading from each of the best entries.

The Star-Times Short Story Awards have led to great things for many of the previous winners, who include some of the country's leading writers – Norman Bilborough, Judith White, Barbara Anderson, Linda Olsson and Sarah Quigley.

So, what makes a great short story? Elizabeth Smither, the final judge in the Open Division, is the author of five collections of short stories, and knows the challenge of making magic with just 3000 words.

"A story needs a good beginning, not necessarily arresting, and a good finish, perhaps suggesting later developments. There needs to be a story of some kind, though there are many forms; there will be characters, language, images, and, in the telling of it, something of the author.

"Rather than striving for it, however, it is better if the author does not intrude; if he or she is confident enough in the knowledge that authorial presence is inevitable."

If you enjoyed reading Sue Francis's winning story, don't miss Focus over summer, when we will publish stories by the second and third prize winners in the Open Division, plus the top three secondary school entries.

AND THE WINNERS ARE ...

OPEN DIVISION

First prize

The Concentrators

By SUE FRANCIS

Second prize

The Open Well

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By THOM CONROY

Third prize

The Building of Widows

By EMMA GALLAGHER