Latest winners
In May 2009 the Jury met to decide the winning stories in the inaugural year of the FBC/PROSPECT SHORT STORY PRIZE. The FBC Jury, made up of Baroness Joyce Quin, Tom Chatfield of Prospect Magazine, Boyd Tonkin of the Independent met at the House of Lords recently to decide the winners. Other jury members, authors Ian Rankin and Bonnie Greer, were unable to attend the meeting but both made their opinions clear in advance. After enthusiastic and animated debate, the Jury chose the winners for the two categories.Julian Barnes noted that the standard of the entries was "very high," with stories "creating believable and quirky characters-a real achievement in under 1,000 words."
First prize in the sixth form category was awarded to Clare Coggins of Headington School, Oxford
This story appealed to all the judges who commented that Clare had been very capable in writing about someone other that herself, avoiding transposing her own identity and perspective into the character and brought the situation to life. Clare was really pleased with the news about her prize and told us:
'Thank you so much for running the competition, I really enjoyed taking part! It was a great chance to be creative and I appreciate the opportunity very much.'
First prize in the Undergraduate category was won by Karis Fiorrucci formerly of Trinity College, Oxford
Karis was thrilled with his prize and told us:
'This competition really appealed to me and, after giving it some thought, I came up with the premise for my story, in which the glitz and spectacle of Paris comes to visit a small French town, catching our hero in its orbit. Gaston buys into the myth of the city and becomes intoxicated with Paris as the fulfilment of his own desires. I am very grateful to the FBC for organising such a unique competition. The story was lots of fun to write, and it has even inspired me to produce some new stories, set in the same town!'
Download Gaston gets his just desserts
Download an application form to enter the prize this year.