Mslexia

Mslexia, the magazine for women who write | www.mslexia.co.uk

Competition winners 2008

Cate Bailey

I still feel astounded by the news; not least because it is the first short story I have written since high school. I have written very little for the last ten years as my life has been almost entirely consumed by a medical degree and work as a junior doctor.

Living in Melbourne; I only became aware of the gem that is Mslexia after attending an Arvon Poetry course last year. When I returned from the course I started using the listings section at the back of the magazine as a series of deadlines and I tried to write something for whatever was coming up next. The first listing was the Mslexia Short Story Competition. So with a week before it was due I decided to give it a go. I’m usually quite a perfectionist so I was actually a bit embarrassed to send in a piece that was so rushed and largely unedited.

I am absolutely thrilled that someone other than my immediate family has read (and liked) something I’ve written.

Having previously only been published in my high school magazine (circa 2002) and on my parent’s fridge, I am absolutely thrilled that someone other than my immediate family has read (and liked) something I’ve written. The fact that one of these people is Jackie Kay (whom I admire enormously), is even more exciting.

Read Cate Bailey's winning Story: 'Concessions'

Melanie Amri

“Hello is that Melanie?”

I nearly said: “If this is another sales call…” but just in time, the voice announced: “This is Debbie Taylor, from Mslexia; you’ve won second prize in our short story competition.”

I was so surprised, I couldn’t speak. Talk about an ‘out of body experience’! I tried to be dignified and articulate, as though this sort of thing happens to me all the time. But it doesn’t. And I wasn’t. Just when I needed words most, they abandoned me! But Debbie was great: “Jackie Kay loved your story.” I just said “thank you” about three thousand times! You will note the exclamation marks in this – well I have a guilty secret. I love them. I always have and I always will. I know the words should ‘do it’, but exclamation marks ‘do it’ too. They give energy, they change the tone, and now I’ve won second prize I have the confidence to risk making this terrible confession. I’ve got another dreadful ‘confession’ too – but I’ll save that in case I’m ever lucky enough to win first prize! !!!!!!!!!

Read Melanie Amri's winning story: 'Scabs'

Peggy Riley

I received an email about having won third prize on a particularly grim day, far from home and my writing life. Sometimes the universe knows exactly what you need to hear. I am so pleased I submitted my short story for the competition, and even more pleased to have it looked upon favourably. In the last edition of Mslexia, I had written a tiny article on my work in literature development, commenting, “We all just need somebody to support our work.” Seeing my article in print, I was reminded that, just as I support other people’s work, I still needed to seek support for my own. So, thank you, Mslexia. This is the first short story I have had published in a magazine, and, as one of your faithful readers, it’s lovely that it’s in yours.

Read Peggy Riley's winning story: 'Archangela'

Short Story Competition page