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These quotes were from the 2010 competition winners and judges
Zoë Heller (short story judge)
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"The winning authors were so consistently deft and alert and confident in their command of
their material, that choosing them was really no choice at all: they more or less demanded to win. "
"Thank you for a wonderful 24 hours in Bridport. I had a very, very good time and have
decided that prize-giving is an excellent occupation"
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Michael Laskey (poetry judge)
"Only writing of real quality can survive the close scrutiny and exhaustive interrogations
that any work entered for the Bridport must undergo - a guarantee that each of these prizewinning
and commended poems is well worth re-reading." |
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Esther Morgan, 1st Prize Winner, Poetry 2010
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"Winning the Bridport Prize has given me a huge creative boost after a period where things have been
quiet for me on the poetry front. Although I've been putting a collection together it's been a slow
and necessarily insular process - to have one of the poems from it recognised in this way has given
me confidence in the new direction my work has been taking, something worth even more than the generous
prize money [though that's very welcome too!]"
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Miles Burrows, Supplementary Prize, Poetry 2010
"I have just come back from a trip to London, reading the Bridport prize collection "Winners", as I
travelled both ways. It felt good to be in such company. Especially the short stories, so far all of
them I have read have been fresh and sharp, tangy, at once makng me envious delighted and inspired to
compete. I found the Judges' comments thoughtful and original. It has reawakened my faith in the liveliness
of new writing here and internationally. I also found the biographies fascinating. While I usually forget
short stories as soon as I have read them, the ones I read here stayed vividly in my mind without any effort
on my part. The same applied to the flash fiction."
Alison Fisher, 1st prize, short story 2010
'I had been writing short stories for years and had reached the stage I would like to be published.
But where? There's not a lot of opportunity for unknown short story writers. When I sent The Woodcutter's
Wife to the Bridport Prize I was hoping I might make it into an anthology that I hold in high regard. I never
expected to win. Taking first prize has been such a boost. The Bridport has judges of such high caliber, and
to get praise from Zoe Heller is fantastic. I also love that the prize raises money for the Bridport Arts
Centre, and runs due to the immense input of local people. I feel truly honoured.'
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Wayne Price, 2nd prize, short story 2010
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'Winning a prize at the Bridport is one of the best votes of confidence I can think of for an
individual poem or story. Knowing that your piece has been singled out amongst so many thousands of entries
and through several stages of long- and short-listing, is something any writer can take enormous encouragement from.'
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Kirsty Logan, 3rd Prize Winner, Short Story 2010
As a minimum-waged young writer, I usually have to avoid contests with
an entry fee. But the Bridport Prize is so well-respected that I
thought 'what the hell', scraped together my pennies, and entered
anyway. I loved every moment of the ceremony and it was wonderful to
meet so many talented writers. I'm grateful to the administrators and
readers for all the time and attention they gave to me and my story.
Although the Scottish literary scene is endlessly vibrant and
exciting, it's been great to get my name known among London agents
too. The Bridport Prize has opened many doors for me, and I can't
recommend it enough.
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Bernie McGill, Supplementary Prize, Short Story 2010
"I was very very excited to hear I'd won a supplementary prize in the Bridport. Then,
when the anthology came through my letter box and I opened the package to see the words
'The Winners' right across the front, my heart leapt. I am so proud to be part of that group of people.
It's a huge endorsement and one that will sustain me for a long time."
Claudia Abbott, Supplementary Prize, Short Story 2010
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"Being placed in the Bridport Prize has given me wind beneath my wings. Only briefly before,
I was hanging about on the sea wall, ruffling my feathers against the wind and staring aimlessly out to sea!"
/p> |
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Sue Butler, Supplementary Prize, short story 2010
'Being a runner up in the Bridport short story competition has made me smile - it's as simple and as
amazing as that. On the bus to work or on in the queue at the supermarket checkout I find myself smiling.
And because its a heart-felt, reaches-the-eyes kind of smile people smile back at me. I've even managed to
smile my way through a dental check up.'
Patricia Middleton, Joint 1st Prize Winner, Flash Fiction 2010
"Winning a Bridport prize feels good: like walking on your hands, turning a cartwheel,
taking a bow. It gives you a glow of confidence and self-belief. It's invaluable. Thank you."
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