The current BFS Short Story Competition began in 2004 (though we are currently investigating mysterious rumours of earlier instances - any information will be gratefully received). Here are the previous winners of the current competition.

 

2009

Winner: Dead Astronauts, Patrick Whittaker

Runner-up: In the Moment, Elana Gomel

Third place: The Apocalypse Has Been Good To Us, by Charlotte Bond

Shortlisted: The Tin Box, Cheryl Alleyne; 17, by Anjanee Sooknah

 

2008

Winner: Seems Only Right, Mathew F. Riley. Published in New Horizons 3.

Runner-up: The Skeleton in the Cupboard, Astrid Klemz. Published in Dark Horizons 55. 

 

2007

Winner: Star-Changer, Rebecca Lusher. Published in Dark Horizons 52.

Runner-up: Keep Off the Grass, Sally Quilford. Published in Dark Horizons 52.

 

2006

Winner: The Ice Game, Sue Anderson. Published in Dark Horizons 50.

Runner-up: In His Charge, Nicky Robson. Available to read on the author's website. Published in Dark Horizons 51.

Runner-up: Father's Day, David Turnbull. Published in Dark Horizons 51.

 

2005

Winner: Baby, Simon Messingham. Published in Dark Horizons 48.

 

2004

Winner: Manny and the Monkeys, Simon Woodward

Runner-up: Our Friends, Philip Harris

Shortlisted: Bird Songs at Eventide, Nina Allen; All Beauty Must Die, Mike Chinn; The River Child, Glen Cox; The Journey of Life, K.S. Dearsley

If you are a budding writer, having had no more than three pieces of fiction published in paying venues, and are keen on horror, fantasy or science fiction, the BFS Short Story Competition is for you. The rules are straightforward and are outlined below.

The deadline for entries in this year’s BFS Short Story Competition is 31 August 2009. The stories will be read by a panel of judges with expertise in genre writing and editing, and the winner will receive a prize of £50, plus their story will be published in either Dark Horizons or New Horizons. The runner-up will receive £25 and publication in Dark Horizons or New Horizons. The competition is open to both members and non-members of the society, but non-members must pay a £5.00 administrative fee to qualify for entry. The full rules of entry are as follows:

The winner of the British Fantasy Society Short Story Competition 2008 is "Seems Only Right", by Mathew F. Riley, who receives a prize of £50.

The runner up was "The Skeleton in the Cupboard" by Astrid Klemz, who receives a prize of £25.

The final decision was made by a distinguished panel of judges including Pete Crowther (PS Publishing), Stephen Gallagher (Eleventh Hour) and the author Chaz Brenchley. Stories were considered anonymously.

"Seems Only Right" and "The Skeleton in the Cupboard" will appear in New Horizons and Dark Horizons respectively.