Derby Writing - the weigh-in

Rob Smallwood makes it look casual in this picture, but that IKEA bag in his hands holds the short story entries for the City of Derby short story competition, which amassed as a pile of papers weighs in at 51lbs.

Rob braved the M1 yesterday to drive the final entries down to me in London, ensuring safe delivery. My summer reading is assured. From the earlier submissions I've already come to expect a high standard and wide variety. The final tally shows work coming in from 23 countries.

News to me yesterday was that Rob manages this whole enterprise on a volunteer basis, also maintaining the website as a fount of literary information that stretches from Derby throughout the East Midlands. The whole venture is a labour of love, inspired by appreciation of literature, Derby, and all the literary associations of the region. Jane Draycott is judging the poetry wing of the competition (a much lighter load, I am sure).

Winners are announced as part of Derby's festival of writing on October 17th. My role is to seek out three prize-winners and half a dozen honourable mentions. I am quietly confident of some wonderful pieces emerging.