Today, I’m reminded of a joke I once read…
A devout man prays every week – “Please God, let me win the lottery jackpot. I’ll do great things with the money and promise to use it all helping others.”
Finally after many weeks without winning so much as a tenner, he falls to his knees and says – “Why not me, Lord?”
And God replies, “Come on, help me out here – you could at least buy a ticket!”
That’s kind of how I feel about the BBC National Short Story Award, one of the most prestigious (and potentially lucrative) short story competitions around. Winning the National Lottery feels more likely than winning this prize; all the previous shortlists have included (as you might expect) excellent, well-established ‘name’ authors, rather than the diffident, part-time, easily-distracted likes of me. But still, I always feel I have to give it another go. Why not join me? You never know – it could be you!
The BBC National Short Story Award – closing date 15th June. For more info see – www.theshortstory.org.uk/nssp/2009.php4