We are delighted to announce the shortlist of writing pieces in our inaugural writing competition on the theme of “Walking and Listening”.

The WRITE ABOUT WALKING & LISTENING writing competition was launched in July and submitters were asked to write poetry or prose in fewer than 250 words. We were bowled over by the quality and quantity of submissions, receiving  more than 120 pieces – remarkably, evenly balanced between poetry and prose.

We had four volunteer judges, Dr Kerri Andrews and Geert Vermeire considered the poetry entries, and Nick Hallissey and Nigel Bristow the prose entries.

The shortlisted pieces will be published in WALKING an illustrated chapbook anthology and issued as an audio book, sale proceeds of which go to support future walk · listen · create writing competitions. Copies of the book (when published) can be purchased.

The winners and runners-up in each of the poetry and prose categories will be announced at a Showcase event, at which all the shortlisted authors have been invited to read their work – with the accolade of on-line Poet & Prose Writer-in-Residence for 2022 walk · listen · create and for Sound Walk September 2022 going to the winners in each category.

Authors shortlisted and their pieces:

In the poetry category:

Murdo Eason (poetry) “Loop Walking (a fragment)“

Megan Hicks (poetry) “The compass“

Lydia Kennaway (poetry) “Blind march to London April5th-25th 1920“

Maggie McShane (poetry) “Fatherland“

Kate Meyer (poetry) “Walk, Listen, Repeat”

Nathan Munday (poetry) “Garth Hill“

Liz Nicholas (poetry) “Stepsounds“

Paul Roden (poetry) “Winterfold Forest“

In the prose category:

Jane V Adams (prose) “The Gift“

Sophie Austin (prose) “Uncle David“

Anne Bailie (prose) “The Belfast Greenway“

Angela Findlay (prose) “The Sound of Footfall“

E.E. Rhodes (prose) The Nightingale

Jo Riggall (prose) “Noticing“

Claudia Zeiske (prose) “Walk, Look, Listen, Slow Marathon Cabrach – Huntly”