The Asham Award 2010
The Asham Award is looking for ghost or gothic stories. It's open to women writers who have not yet had a novel or a collection of short stories published. Stories must not exceed 4,000 words in length. Deadline 30th September Entries welcome from any nationality and any country
What makes a good ghost story?
(Advice from judges Sarah Waters and Polly Samson and Virago’s publisher Lennie Goodings)
Sarah Waters, for whom Ghost and Gothic have become something of a trademark, says she will be looking for a story that clearly belongs to the ghost story genre, yet manages to bring something new to it too.
"Something new in terms of setting, perhaps? A ghost story for the twenty-first century? But," she adds "whatever the setting, I’d like the story to be genuinely unsettling - if not downright scary. I want to be spooked!"
Polly Samson says she will be looking for characters "that haunt me long after I finish reading. " She believes this is the most important thing in any short story but especially true of a ghost story.
"I like stories that seem clever on second reading," says Polly "where the atmosphere and tone have been carefully fitted to the characters, where every word has been thought about and every description has something important to add to the characterisation, though on first reading all of this should seem effortless."
Lennie Goodings, who will be publishing the anthology, wants to be "genuinely surprised, thrilled, disturbed, frightened, creeped or even, I suppose, struck with the humour and absurdity of it." She believes the genre gives rise to strong emotional responses
Details here at Asham website
Comments
Good luck to anyone entering!!
Take care
x
A yes! oh! to be disturbing!
stories that sound good on second reading, well, thats me ruled out.
Seems to be a lot of ghouls this weekend, with the Magpie theme, the Bram Stoker award and now this, strange things afoot! Great picture, you are very brave to show a photo of yourself in your nightie!!
Rule you out? Oh no it doesnt! (in panto voice!)Your recent magpie was definatly on the theme...And gosh I didnt think anyone would recognise me in the photo! It was one of those nights!- No more gin for mammy!
mmm...what about a substitute teacher who comes back from the grave to teach someone a lesson...?!
So glad to find your blog and it looks as if we have many friends in common. :o)
Wish your friend luck with the sub!
Talli
I've never read that story (shame on me!) I've heard a lot about it though.
You're welcome karen!Thanks so much for coming over to say this - I'm really glad you chose to keep a journal again!
Loved the photo too! :)