From left: Royden MacCoag; Sheila Eastman; Hayley Linfield; Yasmina Jaksic; Bronte Cronsberry.
WINGHAM – Top short story writers were recognized at a gala for the Alice Munro Writers and Readers Festival recently.
In front of an audience of 45 guests in Wingham, the finalists in the 2012 Alice Munro Short Story Competition showcased their work by sharing a brief passage from their short story submitted to the contest this past summer. Awards in two categories included a cash prize and an advance copy of Alice Munro’s newest short story collection, Dear Life, which will be released to the general public in mid-October and was generously gifted by the Huron County Library.
Youth Category
Rachel Loerts from Wyoming, Ont., has just entered her first year at the University of Windsor in the Bachelor of Music Program. Her story, Perfect, tells of a young woman’s struggle to fit in, and her escape from personal demons. Please read Perfect, by Rachel Loerts.
Second and third prizes in the Youth Category were awarded to Yasmina Jaksic of Thornhill and Bronte Cronsberry of St. Marys. Yasmina’s story, Neverland, tells of the effects of the cultural revolution in China and the desire to come to Canada in this coming of age tale and Bronte’s submission, And Brian, explores moving on after a great loss and a return to a sense of stability.
Open Category
Hayley Linfield of Goderich wrote Water Treatment, about a man finding a second chance at happiness. Please read Water Treatment, by Hayley Linfield
The second prize was awarded to Royden McCoag for A Fish Tale, which is a good read for all you would-be fishermen, and the third prize went to Sheila Eastman of Mississauga for Do You Like Cowboy Music – an intriguing compilation of two stories about two characters whose lives become intertwined on a bus ride.
Lead Judge John Cull described the high quality of the submissions in the 2012 Short Story Competition. Well-developed characters and interesting plots made for stories that were compelling. Fellow judges Dick Allan and Catherine MacLeod were both in attendance.
Allan was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. The keynote speaker was one of Munro’s biggest fans – Mary Wolfe. She enthusiastically shared her appreciation of Munro’s work and her admiration of Alice as a treasured friend.
Wolfe is the former owner of the Village Book Shop in Bayfield.
Huron Arts and Heritage Network (www.heritageandculture.on.ca) was the host organization of the revitalized Alice Munro Writers and Readers Festival. The 2012 events were generously supported by: The Township of North Huron; Huron County Cultural Services and Libraries; Blyth Festival, Middleton’s Home Furnishings, Tuckersmith Communications, Wingham and Area Horticultural Society and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
One Comment on "Writers honoured in Alice Munro short story competition"
I just got the chance to read “Water Treatment”. Congratulations Hayley. I hope you get the opportunity to pursue a writing career and develop your skills. Alice Munro is a great role model to follow. Huron County is proud of both of you!