Those of you who read my blog are aware that I entered a short story in NPR’s contest, “Three-Minute Fiction: Round 8.” As expected, my story, “Return to Brighton Manor,” was not chosen as the winning entry from among the more than 6,000 short stories submitted. Nevertheless, I had fun writing what was only my second attempt at fiction. I am looking forward to entering Round 9 in the fall.
Author Luis Alberto Urrea was the judge who made the final selection. He read more than a hundred of the stories, himself. He was assisted by members of several writing workshops and university writing programs. All of the stories were read, yes even mine, by some courageous volunteer.
The winning submission is “Rainy Wedding” by Carrie MacKillop of Charlotte, Vermont. Listening to it read professionally by Susan Stanford on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” I can see why it was chosen. I love it.
I find it interesting that Carrie MacKillop does not have any formal training in creative writing. She has a bachelor’s degree in English UCLA, but failed to be accepted into their creative writing program. I’ll bet they now wish that they had made a different decision. I wonder how many agents have called her, since she was announced as the winner.
I do hope that she will write more. Luis Alberto Urrea predicts that she is America‘s next great writer. Perhaps. She is off to a good start.
And so I say congratulations to Carrie MacKillop.
To listen to “Rainy Wedding”: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=153115410&m=153152952
Other entries considered exceptionally good can be read on NPR’s webpage: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/20/153115410/three-minute-fiction-the-round-8-winner-is
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- Latest Readings From Three-Minute Fiction (npr.org)
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