JOGGERS will suffer a shudder down their spines when they read the latest winner of GDNlife’s popular adult short story contest who presents a thriller for followers of the popular social media series, writes Stanley Szecowka.

Prolific writer and monthly winner Colette Owens has conjured up a cracker to take May’s BD25 prize with https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=47449&category=18

Beware of the big bad wolf.

“It is absolutely superb!” said judge Rohini Sunderam, from Bahrain Writers Circle, who was impressed by the entry’s ‘excellent pace’.

“There’s also heart-stopping tension as we realise the stalker knows where she lives … and a terrific ending. Very well done,” she added.

Ms Owens is making winning the monthly competition an annual celebration. The Irish expatriate who lives in Saar first picked up the prize in April 2020 for her entry The Border Dance and was victorious again in June 2021 with A Teen Waiting.

Beware of the big bad wolf has already attracted more than 1,200 views.

“This competition is really a wonderful avenue for the aspiring writers of Bahrain to share their stories and to get creative,” she said.

“I personally love reading the entries each month and it certainly ignites my interest in writing more and more. Thank you for selecting my story as the winner again.

“This has completely made my weekend! I’m absolutely delighted. I’m enjoying sharing my pieces and doing something I love. I’m thrilled to be announced GDN’s short story winner for the month of May.”

Ms Owens may be a regular prize contender, but it was a first time success for the contest’s U18 monthly winner, Shafay Khattak, who picks up a prize of two cinema tickets, courtesy of Cineco.

The 11-year-old schoolboy’s out of this world entry called Yamashita’s Adventures!

https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=47452&category=18

GDN columnist and judge Chris Fenton, head teacher of the British Primary Department at Al Noor International School, was mightily impressed that someone so young could show such imagination and literary talent.

“For 11 years old it’s not bad!” he said, adding, in a message to the young writer: “Your use of language and the imaginative world you have created made it easy to choose you as this month’s winner. Well done, Shafay!”

The Grade 5 student at the Canadian School Bahrain comes from Toronto, and lives with his parents and younger brother in Diyar Al Muharraq.

“I love writing because you can imagine everything and put it into words,” he explained. “I also enjoy playing video games on the PlayStation and computer and like meeting up with friends and hanging out with them.”

June entries are invited, so get writing up to 800 words today!

Register, choose an image, create a title, paste and copy your words in text – and submit to share your work on www.gdnlife.com – clearly stating Adult or U18 entry.

Our panel of judges will also decide on who should walk away with the annual GDNLife Short Story of the Year prize trophies in both categories after the competition’s third anniversary next March.

The winner of the GDNLife People’s Choice Award – the short story that has received the most views and likes – will also be announced.

Keen writers of all ages are being offered the chance to publish their work on Bahrain’s popular social media platform for a monthly prize.

As a result of the contest’s success there is now a special exclusive Short Story section on www.gdnlife.com for visitors to enjoy.

editor@gdnonline.com