Many writers have shared their thoughts with the public:

"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you." - Beatrix Potter

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." - Anaïs Nin

"Sharing your writing, being enlarged by others' writing, is what makes you feel famous." - Gretchen Bernabei

"Writing is not an amusing occupation. It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill and childbirth." - Edna Ferber

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." - Ben Franklin

"One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones to form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment." - Hart Crane

"There are three rules for writing. Unfortunately, no one can agree what they are." - W. Somerset Maugham

The Best of Times Short Story Competition

Spring 2015 results

Note: stories are available for reading only where the authors have given permission.

First Place ($500)

Heather MacKenzie, QLD: "Murder by the Sea"

Second Place ($100)

Pam Riessen, WA: "A Humorous Interlude?"

Third Place

Geoff Covey, QLD: "Three Billy Goats"

Highly Commended

Irena Sprey, QLD: "Goldilocks - A Cautionary Tale for Bears"

Jack Jupita, WA: "Space Coffee"

Edward Burger, VIC: "The Gift Horse"

Commended

Rose Ransom, SA: "The Bull, the Judge, and I"

John Pitman, WA: “To Coin a Phrase”

Edward Burger, VIC: "Because It Feels Good"

Simon Vasarelli, VIC: “Look at the White Boy”


There were 66 short stories in the competition, from 52 entrants.