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Shortlist of 9 for the 2011 Fantasy Book Review Fantasy Short Story Competition

10 days ago I published a longlist of 22 entries for our short-story competition. After careful deliberation we have now shortened the list to 9 and I would just like to offer my commiserations to the 13 authors that have been lost from the longlist and sincerely hope that they were happy to know just how highly we rated their stories.

So here are the 9 stories that have made the shortlist, in alphabetical order, with the first paragraph of their story.

  • Coin-Operated Boys by Kirsty Logan
    That August, Elodie Selkirk became the latest lady in Paris to order a coin-operated boy. Despite her hooked nose and missing pinkie finger, Elodie was suffering from a rash of suitors; unfortunately for them, she was in no need of a gentleman. Elodie glanced down the hall to make sure that the maid was still safely in her room, as instructed – it was best to keep the boy a secret until she could check him over. She straightened the silk bow at her throat and opened the door.
  • For All Time by Jean Marino
    Sage watched the Heron skim the trees before its slow descent to the nearby marsh. When it dipped out of site, a shadowy mass in a maple tree caught her eye. Her dog growled, his silver scruff rising. Her initial trepidation waned, and she drew nearer, urged by her curiosity. A soft gasp escaped at the sight of a man dangling from the branches. Was he dead? As if in answer, his body twitched, sending her dog into a barking frenzy.
  • Howl by Rheanna-Marie Hall
    The fast moving mass of cloak and steel converged upon the hillside, a black spot against the dirty green of marshland scrub. Progress became slow as the riders snaked left to right in search of sturdier ground, their steeds’ hooves sinking into bog. Heavy armour only added to the difficulty.
  • Scholar’s Reprisal by Thomas Dipple
    “Scholar! If you stop that horse one more time I’ll let them kill you! Now ride!” Pursa felt the horse bolt as Carden slapped its rear with the flat of his sword blade. The beast charged on through the forest and Pursa cried out as his face was whipped by low hanging leaves and twigs.
  • Senescence by David Rudden
    My father built coffins for our village’s dead. He was a small man, his eyes two nail marks in an umber mass of beard and sun-darkened skin, his hands gnarled masses of knuckle and nail. When he worked, old scars shone white under sweat, a nonsense-scribble of forgotten wounds. As a child, my world was made up of things that he built; the walls of our cottage, the wide, low bed that we shared, the simple toys he had carved.
  • The Dwarf by George Poles
    Now it was the fashion in that state for beauty to seat itself by ugliness. How could the splendour of the graceful palaces of the rich truly be appreciated without placing them within sight of the poorest slums?  How could the elegant lines and delicate colouring of the finest artists be understood without the contrast of the rude sketches that were placed next to them?  Most of all how could the shining faces, slim bodies and gorgeous dresses of the young ladies of fashion truly be seen without the darkness of the malformed and misshapen beside them to reveal their light?
  • The Hearing by Mark Torrender
    The courtroom smelled of cedar and wood polish. Exactly what Jack Deacon expected. I bet all courtrooms smell this way, he thought as he straightened his Sean John gold paisley tie which he hoped would make an impression on the judge, daft as he knew that sounded. Jack had never been to court before – hadn’t even done jury duty – but here he was now fighting for justice. No one had ever done what he was attempting to do, and if it meant emoting blood, he’d emote blood.
  • The Price of Envy by Stephie Hall
    I distinctly remember that as a child the forest was a welcoming place. In my mind, it held a Narnian lamp-post, shining brightly with a welcoming yellow glow through the wintry storms. It was a place to play, where crisp new snow lay undisturbed by the rowdiness of my playmates. My secret place, where I could withdraw and dream up stories that were, in my mind, equal to those of the venerable Mr Lewis. I would hold out in hope, praying earnestly, in the way that small children do – how God must smile to hear the sweet, sincere prayers of those still untouched by the cynicism of Life – that a faun, brown coated and cloven hoofed, would come and invite me for tea. And my faun would be far superior to Lucy’s because in the forest of my mind there was no great evil, no Lilleth to bring her icy coach and tear us away to an evil place.
  • To Ashes by Kat Zantow
    I was twenty miles from the city of ashes when my eyes started sliding shut of their own volition. My body demanded coffee, and I obligingly cut off a honking sedan to make the exit. I followed the ramp to a small string of shops sandwiched between a church and a motel. The café looked familiar, so I parked out front. I hadn’t been to this place since I had escaped the City on the Hill with—

The above 9 stories are all now with Frank P Ryan, who will be selecting a winner and 2 runner-ups which we will announce on Tuesday (November 1, 2011) and published exactly a week later.

Congratulations to all who made the shortlist.

Please note: Although all short-stories have now been read not all may have, as of yet, received their free ebook. Over the coming days and weeks I will be cross-checking all submissions to ensure that all have had their details sent through to Swift Publishers. (Please feel free to leave a comment on this page if you have not received your free book.)

Comments

Emma
October 30th, 2011

I just wanted to say well done to everyone who made the short list. :)

Kirsty Logan
October 30th, 2011

Well done indeed! All these opening paragraphs are fascinating, and I’m really looking forward to reading the winners.

Jean Marino
October 30th, 2011

Wow. I am thrilled to be among the nine. Congrats to everyone!

Narcissus
October 30th, 2011

It was a really fun contest, and I was really anticipating to win. Well, c-c-c-congratulations t-t-the w-w-winners…..

harry
October 30th, 2011

Congratulations to those who made the shortlist! Well done

Dave Rudden
October 30th, 2011

Oh wow, so pleased to have made the shortlist! Congrats to everyone! :)

Jennay
October 30th, 2011

Congratulations! you guys must be so exited!

p.s. I didn’t receieve the free ebook, also could i get my score for my story please?

Thanks,
Jennay

Anisha
October 30th, 2011

Congratulations to everyone who made the shortlist!

I didn’t get an e-book either and although I didn’t make the shortlist I’m glad I tried! ;)

Wendy
October 31st, 2011

Just by reading these first paragraphs, I wish we could get all these stories to read as well… they sound so great!!

Liz
November 1st, 2011

Congratulations to the shortlisted authors and I second that I’d like to read them all. I haven’t received an ebook yet and didn’t realise that you can ask for your score. Is that the same as feedback? Could I have my score too please?

Lee
November 15th, 2011

UPDATE: We are currently working on publishing the three winning entries, the work which includes the design of three individual, specially-designed PDF templates and comment on the winning entries from Frank P Ryan and the winning authors themselves. Thank you for your patience.

Jean Marino
November 16th, 2011

I am so proud of the winning authors. Good luck and keep writing! I can’t wait to read your stories. If Frank P. Ryan picked them–they’ve got to be stellar reads.

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