The top 12 for the best half dozen

It’s rare that a literary awards speech is longer than the winning entries themselves but that was the case when some of the Armidale region’s most gifted writers gathered at the presentations for this year’s Six of the Best competition.

It’s not that the judges’ speeches were particularly long. Rather, the celebrated stories were only half a dozen words each.

Armidale War Memorial Library’s Six of the Best: Take the Hemmingway Challenge competition invited writers young and old to tell a compelling tale in exactly six words.

The bite-sized scale of the task – as well as the beckoning challenge of perfecting such a diminutive tale – attracted hundreds of entries.

The best were celebrated at a presentation ceremony at the library yesterday.

“This is the second time we’ve run the competition and the creativity displayed is astonishing,” competition organiser and Systems Librarian Martin Mantle said.

“The organisers and our panel of judges have a fantastic time reading the entries and it is extremely difficult narrowing them down to just a handful of winners and highly commended recipients.

“This year’s contest introduced divisions for senior school and primary school students, unearthing some wonderful talent and captivating yarns.”

Council’s Service Leader – Community & Customer Service, Krista Schmidt, said the exceptional response encouraged organisers to make the Six of the Best competition an ongoing part of the library’s calendar of events.

“We run a wide variety of activities and events at the library, for people of all ages, and Six of the Best has certainly emerged as one of the most popular,” Ms Schmidt said.

For more information, visit https://yoursay.armidale.nsw.gov.au/six-of-the-best

Six of the best – 2018 winners

Adult 18+ First prizeEmily AgarPosition vacant. Right side. Pillow provided. Second PrizeSu WoodwardGladys loathed “Independent Living”. Nobody smiled.  Third prizeIngrid SteddyHer name was never mentioned again. Highly commendedHelen SmithHe reluctantly tasted his own medicine.

School students – Kindergarten – Year 6 First prizeAnna GooleyAll they found was her tooth. Second PrizeTabitha HignettComing soon magic slippers for sale! Third prizeSophie RidleyI knew she knew my secret. Highly commendedMaggie RidleyThe new wall towered over me.

School students - Levels Years 7-12 First prizeRoie WoodSale: Glass slipper. Will marry buyer.  Second PrizeZaiden KennedyWe do not serve your kind. Third prizeNeve CrottyHer wrist had deep paper cuts. Highly commendedSolomon LaytonBorn a twin. Graduated only child.

Published on 02 Nov 2018