My short story, Kumi’s Cake, was shortlisted for the 2020 Bridport Prize International Short Story Competition and I am still amazed, overjoyed and dumbstruck in equal measure (if you can imagine that expression, please send me a drawing).

I’ve been submitting stories to this competition for a long time, possibly since I was a toddler, and I’ve come to view the entry fee as an annual charitable donation. So being shortlisted has left me rather breathless.

#amwriting is more than a hashtag, it’s an existential declaration. It translates into #amstillpluggingawaygoddammit.

Congratulations to the winners and the highly commended, and thanks to all at Bridport Arts Centre. And respect to every entrant who put their imagination into words and then put it out there for our delight.

Categories: Strays, Writerly Things