Adult Category

1st
Washed Up by Pippa Gladhill
It lay next to a rock pool, flip flopping, on the sand. Mrs Banks bent over to see. ‘Are you all right?’ The eyes glittered green …. turquoise …. the colours ebbing and changing like sunlight and cloud over water.

2nd
Putting Down Roots by Mike Watson
I love my garden. There are lawns, trees, ponds, flowers, vegetables and a path that meanders to a shed. Every year there are beautiful flowers, plump vegetables and juicy fruit. I’ve got green fingers it’s true….but what nobody knows, not even my wife, is that I’ve also got green arms and legs….and toes that have stretched and grown long and thin and white….just like roots.

3rd
A Present From Torcombe by Maggie Bevan
My name is Angela Green and I'm a monster. If I could just stand up and confess it at a support group - but I can't: we monsters lurk in grisly places and never disclose ourselves. We really are anonymous.

Junior Category

1st
Private Duffy by Basil Davies
The tiny, pale flame survived only seconds in the cruel cold of the morning before it began to shiver.

2nd
A Life Among Others by Shannon Biondi
Life on the street is hard. Not because you don't have a roof over your head or because you don't have any personal possessions but because you gradually become invisible. The world stops noticing you and after enough time has gone by you cease to exist.

3rd
A Thousand Cranes by Jane Williamson
They watched her. From across the school library a group of younger girls sat and stared.

Children's Story Category

1st
All About Ella by Sally Nicholls
It's Monday morning. We're late for school. Mum is hurrying. Her hair isn't brushed. Her jumper is on inside out. My brother is sick and she wants to go home to him. She pulls my hand.

2nd
When The Zoo Comes To You by Sarah Holman
Bernie was a little alarmed by the polar bear in his wardrobe. "I don't think you're supposed to be in there," he said. The polar bear wriggled down, pulling clothes off their hangers. A roller skate spun out across the carpet. He lifted his plate-sized paw and took a bite out of an apple.

3rd
The Magic Paint Box by Sheila Powell
Tom Beck was the smallest boy in the class. His ears were small. His hands were small. His feet were small. Even his name was small.

2005

Adult Category

1st
'Unconditional Love' by Jan Hunter
Memories come in scraps and shades, some bright and clear, others misty and unsure.

2nd
'News with Miss Gowdie' by Anne Armstrong
Outside the classroom, clouds hide the January sun. Through the
steamed-up sash windows we see only greyness. Inside, the room is
bright and buzzes with anticipation.

3rd
'Bear's Eggs From Tescos' by Fran Hunissett
My dad told me about Bear’s eggs. They are great. Much, much bigger than hen’s eggs - you know, the sort you have for breakfast.

Junior Category

1st
Unborn by Amy Hornsby
Michelle rolled over and squinted drearily at the digital clock on the side. She had half an hour more. She closed her eyes again. Then there was a loud, shuddering slam of the front door, her husband was home.

2nd
Painted Faces by Jane Williamson
I took my brush out of the water and picked up a clean handkerchief to wipe it on. My shoulder was starting to ache so I rotated it gingerly. I smiled at the dragon in front of me.

3rd
A Child's Journey by Ruth Ellen Parlour
Thick, steaming hot liquid like tar swelled and bubbled inside the deep black cauldron. Heavy grey smoke rose like fingers into the air circling and swirling, poisoning the atmosphere.

2004

1st
'Beyond Repair' by Penny Aldred
At the back of the wardrobe, hidden behind the tennis racquets, she found her husband's heart.

2nd
'The Time of Our Singing' by Alexandra Fox
We sang together, once, John my love. When we were thirteen, we sang together - Happy Birthday to Me in the classroom.

3rd
'The Day' by Matthew Kinson
I remember leaving her lipstick smudge where it was on my cheek, exactly like I did every time, no one could see it with my helmet on, I just hated the thought of wiping it off, plus it made me feel nice.