Barbara Erskine

Barbara is the author of ten novels and three collections of short stories. Most of her novels reflect her dual interest in history and the paranormal, putting them together as thrillers which span two or more time zones. Her first novel, ‘Lady of Hay’ has taken the story of Matilda de Braose and her life in mediaeval Hay-on-Way around the world, having been translated into 26 languages and sold over 2 million copies. With a small second home in the parish of Llanigon, near Hay, Barbara and her family have been associated with the area for over 40 years and her latest novel ‘The Warrior’s Princess’ tells the extraordinary story of Eigon, patron saint of the village’s church. Barbara is at present working on her 11th novel.

Our 4 judges will prepare a ‘long list’ for Barbara to be the final judge. The judges are:

   

Betty Maura-Cooper

Is currently the Chair of Hay & District Community Support, the charity which will benefit from the proceeds of the competition. She is also a writer, having had three books published by Robert Hale, one of which, ‘Truth to Tell’ was translated into Italian, and all three were published in Large Print for public libraries. (Her nom-de-plume was Marigold West!) She won several of the Writers News short story competitions, including being runner-up in the Annual Short Story competition and went on to tutor for the Writers News Short Story distance learning course for several years. She was runner-up in the Llangollen International Short Story competition 1998, the winners being published in an anthology entitled ‘Objects of Desire’. In her most productive phase during the 1990’s she had stories in several national women’s magazines and articles of local interest in the Western Mail and Country Quest. 

Peter Harries

a bookshop owner in Hay for 21 years who has contributed to local publications and is an avid reader. We hope he will bring a male perspective to the judging. 

Sandra Sheldon

Participated in the judging in 2008 & 2009 and valiantly agreed to spend most of the summer reading and appraising a great number of short stories.

Jenny Weatherburn

Works in a bookshop and seems to have read just about every book that has been published! She was also a judge for the 2008 & 2009 competitions and gave extremely thoughtful and insightful comments on each story that she read.