The Yeovil Literary Prize 2006 has delighted us all, not only because the number of entries has doubled, but because of the continuing high standard. As always entries arrived from all over the world and were judged anonymously and objectively. Our judges enjoyed their task enormously, and though picking the winners was as always a tricky and close run thing; it was finally achieved.

The thing that all the finalists had in common was that they had accessed their voice. In other words, their work was truly their own, and as such stood out. Of course, there were some weaknesses amongst even the final three of each category, but in all there was that certain something- a carefully edited and re-drafted novel, short story or poem, a depth of emotion and understanding, and particularly in prose; an ability to show rather than tell. It is all of this that helps to create a living breathing world, (and/or image in the case of poetry) with which the reader can identify.
For further help, have a look at the Writing Tips on the Yeovil Community Arts Association website.