Short Story Competition –
Winners announced!
In conjunction with My Child magazine, Parenting Express is thrilled to announce the winners of our inaugural short story competition for parents.
Thank you to all entrants from Australia and New Zealand for sharing your words of wisdom, honesty and humour. We enjoyed reading every single story, were moved to tears by many, chuckled over a few and related to them all.
We always knew that judging such a competition would be tough. What we didn’t realise is that we would be confronted by such a diverse range of experiences and emotions, and that choosing just one winner would be excruciating.
What all four winning stories share is a willingness to dig deep and tell it like it is, to explore complex and often extremely emotional topics, and above all, outstanding creative expression.
Congratulations to -
Overall winner
- Trisha Helbers – ‘This too shall pass’ – Trisha’s story in My Child
Shortlisted entrants
- Jayne Kearney – ‘The lightness of dark’
- Kylie Ladd – ‘Something we make’
- Kirstin Watson – ‘First born’
As well as having their story published in print and online here at Parenting Express, the winner received a selection of prizes valued at $645 – including an online magazine writing course from the Sydney Writers’ Centre (valued at $395), a $100 Weleda prize pack, an $80 voucher from online store La Toriana, a $53.70 two-year subscription to My Child magazine and a copy of my gift book Being Mummy, $16.95.
The three runners-up received a Weleda prize pack (valued at $50) a one-year subscription to My Child magazine valued at $30 and a copy of Being Mummy for $16.95.
You can read the winning stories and others entered in the competition in the coming months at Parenting Express. Stay tuned for details about the next competition, later in 2008.
“A gender-equal society would be one where the word ‘gender’ does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.”*
I’ve always been aware of gender conditioning and actively tried to combat any lingering prejudices or stereotypes in my own parenting, even down to encouraging dolls with my boys when they were little. It’s great to read people writing about gender issues they’re experiencing with their kids. For too long these subjects have been discouraged or silenced. I’d love to publish some more creative writing on this topic, especially if you are struggling with a child who actively tries to move away from gender normative preferences. A society where everyone can be themselves – thanks Gloria for those aspirational words.
* Gloria Steinem