Judges commend Writers 2000

Marion Sher judged the Back Pager category. She is an award-winning journalist and author, who has been one of South Africa’s top freelance journalists for over 25 years. She is also the patron of Writers 2000.

Marcia Levenson judged the Poetry category. She has a distinguished career in the English department at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she specialised in South African Literature. Marcia has edited anthologies of fiction and poetry, which included those of Roy Campbell and Vincent Swart. She also teaches, publishes, edits, writes poetry, short stories and runs Quartz Press.

David Robbins judged the Fiction category. He is a writer who has published 18 books, which include travel, history, biographies, fiction and socio-political analysis. David and his wife Gail own the publishing company Porcupine Press. David spoke to Writers 2000 earlier this year and will run a workshop for members later in the year.

Joanne Richards judged the Non-Fiction category. She is the author of a number of books and is also a lecturer in journalism. Her latest book, The Imagined Child, was released in March.

Mrs Sher and Mr Robbins attended the function and gave entrants feedback on the entries in their categories. Each entrant received written feedback on their entry from the judges.

Mrs Sher commended members on their Back Pager entries, but said there was not one that stood out from all the others so merit awards were given to three entries. Those entries included work by Phill Doran, Lorna Senior and Jill Jacques. She gave good advice on this genre of writing:

• It is not easy writing a back pager, as it must be funny and this can be difficult to get right.
• Everyone should be able to relate to it.
• Take it “over the top” but know where to stop.
• The topics of young mothers, travel and a slice of life usually work well.
• The Golden Rule, if you do not use a word in normal language, it should not appear in your writing.
• Always have a good sounding board for your writing; read it to someone who can be objective (not your mother) and see what their reaction is.

Mr Robbins said that some of the writers who had entered show lots of potential. “In fiction, there are no rules,” he said.

The winners of the Back Pager category are: Phill Doran (first), Brian Mc Grady (second) and Duncan Stepto (third).

The Non- Fiction winners are: Nicolette Bosman (first), Jill Jacques (second) and Brian McGrady (third).

The Poetry winners are: Duncan Stepto (first and third) and Brian McGrady (second).

The winning entries can be read on the Writers 2000 Facebook page.

The annual competition takes place in May every year with the prize giving in July.

For more information, contact the chairman, Jake van der Wilden, on 082 223 9353 or 011 616-0305 or email anjo@internext.co.za.