as rhinos in Reigate. For this reason alone, the annual Ian St James Awards for short fiction are vital. Each year, sixteen writers who have not yet published a novel see their work appear in the anthology. Another sixty–four runners–up are published in Acclaim, the bi–monthly magazine launched so that the Awards could help more new authors into print.
This year, the organizers received four thousand two hundred and twenty–five entries. A vast team of professional readers made a full report on each story and all entrants received a copy. From these critiques, a shortlist of eighty was drawn up and then seven judges, myself included, selected this anthology. The administrators of the Awards are often asked what the criteria are (not least by the judges themselves). Actually, it’s very simple. The length of the stories varies from 2,000 to 10,000 words. The subject matter can be anything except work for children; the style ditto. This year’s book includes fiction which could be called experimental, romantic, literary or fantastical; often within the confines of one story. Winning tales come from Britain, Ireland, the USA, Canada and Greece. If you want to know what sort of story to write the only real answer is – a good one. It’s a subjective judgement, of course, and tastes always vary but, by and large, writing which stands out is sprightly, original, individual and, above all, written from the heart. Whether you love the work in this collection or hate it, they are all stories which impressed us in some way or another.
Thanks are due then to my fellow judges – especially Ian St James for his continued support and Nick Sayers, Deputy Publishing Director, HarperCollins Trade Division. It is never easy for a publisher to justify a book containing work by virtually unknown writers. HarperCollins’ involvement with these Awards is a highly welcome demonstration of their commitment to new and exciting work. This year, the Awards have also benefited from the support of pensions specialists NPI, who printed and distributed thousands of entry forms, and from Elysée, who have presented all shortlisted writers with fountain pens. Looking ahead, the organizers would like to be able to introduce new ideas; reduce the entry fees to widen participation from writers across the world, increase the print run and distribution of Acclaim and run short–story workshops around the UK. To do this will require the backing of a major sponsor. At the moment the Awards break even but only just, and the judges and staff are all unpaid.
A special mention is therefore due to the administrator, Merric Davidson, who, as well as directing the Awards, also runs the New Writers’ Club which publishes Acclaim magazine. His endless enthusiasm and capacity to get by on very little sleep ensure the healthy continuance of these Awards.
In addition, all entrants contribute. Without the writers who send in their stories each year the Awards would not exist. There is a tendency within the industry to be a little snooty about enterprises such as this – to regard them as somehow amateurish or not terribly serious. This is a gross mistake. The people who enter the Ian St James Awards and the readers who buy this book are the writers and readers who keep publishing alive. Apart from encouraging potential novelists, all those who support awards like these contribute to an important and often undervalued facet of our literary culture – the art form of the short story.
For the authors selected, it is a step forward in a possible writing career. I should know. In 1990, the second year of the Awards, I was one of the winners – and a part–time secretary. This year, the sixth, I am a judge – and a full–time writer. I look forward to the next six successful years, when maybe the person introducing the year 2000 anthology of the Ian St James Awards will be one of the writers you are about to read in Brought to Book.
LOUISE DOUGHTY
(Louise Doughty’s first novel, Crazy Paving, is published in January 1995.)
THE 1994 IAN ST JAMES AWARDS
RODNEY BURBECK
Book Trade Journalist
LOUISE DOUGHTY
Novelist
ALAN DUNN
Novelist
MAGGIE NOACH
Literary Agent
IAN ST JAMES
Novelist
NICK SAYERS
Publisher
JOHN TRENHAILE
Novelist
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