Six Authors short listed so far for €2,000 James Plunkett Short Story Competition
Almost uniquely in Irish consciousness, the 1913 Lockout is remembered and accessed almost exclusively through literature. The events and the legacy of 1913 are often difficult to interpret. In his seminal book, ‘Strumpet City’, James Plunkett takes the events of 1913 and weaves them into a format that is instantly accessible: the humble story.
Thus, it is very fitting that, in 2013, a major short story award has been launched and named in Plunkett’s honour.
The award brings together the Irish Writers’ Union, the irish Writers’ Centre, the Unesco City of Literature committee, Dubin City Council, the Dublin Library Service and the 1913 Committee under a banner that seeks to celebrate Plunkett’s great skill as a social commentator. Entrants are asked, simply, to recall Plunkett when writing.
To date, the award has had hundreds of entries. There will be nine stories shortlisted for the overall prize in October. Jennifer Johnson will select the winning entry.
Six short stories have already been shortlisted. They are:
The Mystery of the Missing Finger and the Dead Cat – by Fiona O’Connor
Hoax – by Noel O’Regan
Apparition at Friars Hill – by Maureen Gallagher
Coagulated Blood and Dread – by Eleanor O’Reilly
Bookworm – by Chris Dooley
In for a Penny – by Barry Troy
The competition is still ongoing. Writers have until August 16th to send in their entries (full details at www.ireland-writers.com).
A sincere congratulations to those who have been shortlisted thus far. The quality of the entries has been of a standard that demonstrates the strength of the continued Renaissance of the short story in Ireland. Indeed, half way through the competition, the choice to attach the name of of James Plunkett to the competition was very apt.
The three entrants to be shortlisted in the final event will read their entries in the Irish Writers’ Centre in September. All nine shortlisted entrants will then come back together for a final reading for the overall prize in October. Full details of these free events will appear on the websites of both the Irish Writers’ Union and Irish Writers’ Centre.