Hiatus winners

We’ve counted the votes, disqualified the people voting for their own work (tsk, tsk, did you think we wouldn’t check??) and can now announce that (subject to contract) the folowing poems and stories that will join this year’s winners,  in the Solstice Shorts 2022 ‘best of’ ebook Hiatus, are:

After Before by Mandy Macdonald
After Sun, Before the Stars by Jane Aldous
Against Daylight Saving by Gabriel Noel (This year’s competition winner)
At the Hotel de la Lune by Sarah James
Beach Clean by Ness Owen
Fire at Midday by Susan Cartwright-Smith
Fisherman’s Daughter by Claire Booker
In Between Dog by Pippa Gladhill
Jackdaw by Elaine Hughes
Mock Posh & Tatters by Moira Quinn
Pause by Karen Pierce (This year’s competition winner)
Rewilding by Jackie Taylor
Sir Thomas Wyatt’s Catby Elinor Brooks
Stone Baby by Sarah Evans
The Surgeon’s Mate by Maria Kyle
Volunteer by Jane McLaughlin
Wednesday Afternoon by David Mathews
What He Doesn’t Know by Frances Gapper
Yes, Twilight by Math Jones

Where there was a dead heat (which happened several times) I’ve included both. We’ll announce the winner of the prize draw shortly – going to experiment with the cat doing the draw…

Longest night – the complete videos

It’s twelfth night, and the official end of the festive season, so as you pack up your Christmas baubles, here’s something to cheer you up: your opportunity to experience the entire evening of Longest Night, in the same order as the audience, but without me waffling on in between, and without the mulled cider, unless you happen to have some to hand of course.

Wassail Vocal Chords


A Little Favour by Wendy Gill Read by Annalie Wilson


Past Three a Clock Vocal Chords


At The Hotel De La Lune by Sarah James Read by all the actors


Naughty Baby Ian Kennedy & Sarah Lloyd


Midwinter Wife by Cherry Potts Read by Annalie Wilson


Ba Ba Lamie Noo Ian Kennedy & Sarah Lloyd


Life Between Lives by Sarah Evans Read by Patsy Prince


Solstice Carol Ian Kennedy & Sarah Lloyd 

https://youtu.be/P9iL6VDTazk
How We Know the Cold is Coming, or October by Abigail Beckel Read by Annalie Wilson


The Cold Time Ian Kennedy & Sarah Lloyd


Mouse by David Mathews Read by Lorraine Spenceley


Dunstan Lullaby Vocal Chords


Spooning by Abigail Beckel Read by Annalie Wilson


Soulmate Annalie


Dancing To Silence by Neil Brosnan Read by Lorraine Spenceley


The Snow it Melts the Soonest Ian Kennedy & Sarah Lloyd


The Lover.s Ghost Ian Kennedy & Sarah Lloyd


Vigil by Abigail Beckel Read by Lorraine Spenceley


Crossing the Bar Vocal Chords


Dunking For a New Sun by Bob Beagrie Read by Saul Reichlin


Drive the Cold Winter Away Vocal Chords


What He Doesn’t Know by Frances Gapper Read by Patsy Prince


Waves Annalie


Doubting Thomas by David McVey Read by Saul Reichlin


We Will Be Heard Annalie


Left of Earth, Right of Venus by Pauline Walker Read by Patsy Prince


The Astronaut Annalie