Autumn Festival launch, short story winner Terry Carson.
Retired Pukekohe lawyer Terry Carson has won the Cambridge Autumn Festival short story competition with his Father and Son piece.
“We have the minister saying what a fantastic person he was, a great reputation he had in the community, and we have a son telling his grandson what a total so-and-so he was. It’s a real contrast. There’s two separate voices sort of virtually running in parallel in the story,” Carson told The News.
Autumn Festival short story judges, from left Jill Carter, Susan Gresson and Venetia Sherson with winner Terry Carson. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Autumn Festival committee at Te Awa Lifecare Village for the launch, from left Karen Johnson, chair John Drummond, Jocelyn Cooney, Barbara Campbell, Gary Verberne, Julie Epps, Alana Mackay. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The event, now into its 15th year, attracted a record 593 entries from around the country, more than double the next highest. Stories had to be 1500 words maximum and for the first time, there was no theme.
The judging panel was expanded from four to five judges who were Venetia Sherson, Hamish Wright, Jill Carter, Denise Irvine, and Susan Gresson.
Judges said the standard of the Maurice Trapp Group sponsored competition was high and it was hard to separate the final placegetters although the winner stood out.
“The structure was clever and the contrasting voices were authentically portrayed. It was a clever device of family secrets unfolding alongside public plaudits and platitudes at a funeral,” they said.
Winners were: Terry Carson (Pukekohe) Father and Son $1000 1, Ciaran Warner (Waitoa) If you keep still $500 2, Bronwyn Elsmore (Auckland) Hikoi $250 3.
Watching on at the Autumn Festival launch, from left Julie Epps, Alana Mackay, Ray and Sue Milner. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Maurice Trapp Group advisor Steve France, left, with short story winner Terry Carson. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Autumn Festival launch, short story winner Terry Carson. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
