Well the entries are in and the submission folder has been removed to a separate hard drive.
Yesterday, while we were doing the admin for the registration and processing, we were struck by the number of intriguing titles this year. I’ve learned long ago not to put too much stock in a title, of course. A good one can draw a susceptible reader towards a book or a story but its effectiveness very much depends on the individual and the personal experiences/ interests of that individual. Titles can also be a double-edged sword, of course, in that if they insinuate or evoke one thing and the story delivers something different, that can work against it.
In any case, here are some that immediately appealed to me (only me – the other judges haven’t seen them yet) and my first thoughts on seeing them:
• Konla’s Dream (A reference to Connla – the son of Conn Céadcathach?)
• Lexi on her Sixty-Second Journey (Time travel or a journey across the room?)
• Mama’s Skin (Possibly a selkie but could really be anything)
• My Sprightly Tailor (I just love the image this brought to mind)
• Seasick (Brings back many pleasant memoires!)
• Strangers in a Familiar Setting (Lovely juxtaposition)
• The Black Hen (Intriguingly simple – for some reason I like that)
• The Curse of Ulster (Possibly a reference to the ‘Pangs’ of Ulster?)
• The King Who Could Not Die (now that certainly rouses interest)
• Tiny Broken Horses (?!)
• The Púca with the Swivelling Head (Actually, no. Sorry. I think I just imagined that one!)
