Hey all, hate to toot my own horn, but I had to share this with you:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2014/02/2014-cbc-short-story-prize-longlist-announced.html
Just announced yesterday. While trying hard to stay modest and uber-cool about it, I have to admit that I was pretty amazed. For those who don’t know, CBC is Canada’s national broadcasting service, kind of like BBC or NPR. I have mad respect for CBC, and listen to it all the time (someone told me when I was young that I would do this someday – they were right). Anyway, the fiction short story competition has like thousands of entries, so it’s pretty amazing to me to be amongst the 36 finalists. Kind of mind-blowing actually. I don’t really send my work out there to anything other than WordPress, so this is a new experience. The story “Saad Steps Out” is, as you may suspect, a bit different… never thought anyone would enjoy that level of weirdness, but I feel warm and sappy that someone did. When I opened the letter in the mail (yes, real mail!) yesterday, it was a bit nuts between my ears.
Anyway, CBC announces a shortlist and finalists from amongst the 36 on March 10th. No idea how that will go, but I feel very honoured to have gotten this far.
CONGRATULATIONS! (You may have heard that all the way from Ireland). Well done. Someone of your talent deserves to be recognised. Good luck Trent and please remember us, the little people, when you’re mega-famous 🙂
Janey, thanks – I’m a bit speechless to tell the truth.
Congrats!
Thank you, Karen.
Excellent! I can now add yet one more legend to my list of awesome writers I follow. Congratulations Trent, best of luck for the 10th of next month, man. Respect REDdog
Dude, thanks so much.
See that? How exciting! I have to read that story again (or for the first time). DETAILS, please!
Heya Pete, sorry man I’ve never posted the story. I keep a bit of a parallel track of stories that I post here and those that I don’t, this is one of the latter. Well I guess you’ll see it sooner or later – either in print or out there. Gotta say I know which one I prefer! Anyway, typical oddball story with odd characters in strange situations, don’t know how else to describe it.
Well that’s what I’d expect! CONGRATS again, I knew you were up to something!
Dude, yeah. I’m about a chapter away from finishing the book too, and then into serious edits. Now if only I could get rid of my pesky job… grrrrrr…
You’ve got all the time in the world (says I)
I wish… just have to be more efficient. Between corporate soul-sucking job and three kids and a social life, you make the best of ten minutes here, ten minutes there. What do they always say? If you want to get something done, give it to someone who’s already busy. I’d like to throttle the person who said that.
hahaha right right
Woah, congrats Trent! I’ll cross everything for March 10, even if it hurts.
I’d expect nothing less from you Nadia – and thanks much.
That’s FANTASTIC!
Wow..wow! See, you truly ARE talented. And well deserved too!
🙂
Thanks – I’m feeling a bit fantastic at the moment, actually.
Dude. Great stuff. I shall have my fingers crossed for you for sure.
Much appreciated, Sean.
Congrats, man!
Many thanks, TD.
Very much congratulations! If there is any public online voting or the like, be sure to post that here so you can harness the power of the blogging community your way. 🙂
Hey thanks for the suggestion – wish there were, but this contest is judged by a pool of readers. Thanks for the congratulations too.
Now that really is cool. Well done indeed! And there was me thinking I was doing good winning 16 out of 19 tipsyLit challenges. Way to go my friend!
Heya Duncan, thanks. No worries, I don’t even know what a tipsyLit challenge really is – other than through you.
It’s a weekly competition where you get given a theme, write a short story on the theme, stick it on your blog, and cross your fingers. I slaughtered the oppostion this week, and I’ve been asked to join the crew who run the blog itself.
Very cool Duncan.
😀
I think so too, seeing as how I’ll be the only one with y chromosomes. The blog is aimed specifically at women, but the Admin asked me to join in the fun as the token bloke.
🙂
That’s cool. Need a good male voice in there, I’m sure. I’ll have to pop by and check things out.
Aaaah jeez, now I have to be really REALLY good or you will be all over me like a rash
Do rashes get rashes?
Couldn’t be happier for ya NB….CBC is no small potatas! Finger’s Crossed that they continue to exhibit good taste and keep you on the short list. Tickled…just tickled! 🙂
Thanks SB, honestly I’m excited. This contest is so big and it’s the first one I’ve entered. I’m going to be sending good vibes to the judges…
we, your loyal and adoring fans, will add ours to yours then…very exciting!!!!
Good going, Trent!
Hey – thank you.
You already know what I think … I can’t imagine a writer more deserving of this. Congratulations and good luck for the upcoming rounds of winnowing down to the shortlist and finalists.
So kind, my friend – I appreciate it, sincerely.
Congrats, dude! CBC is awesome. Good luck in the next round!
Hey thanks – gonna keep my fingers crossed. I love CBC, I listen to it everywhere. We even have our own morning show in Kitchener-Waterloo now, although I still like listening to Matt Galloway and his crew in Toronto.
I’m not surprised! Your writing style is unique and it draws people in. Congrats! And good luck!
Thank you Sara. I think I’m a bit blown away because it’s CBC. So cool – thanks for the words.
Well done, sir. This is what makes us bloggers and you a writer. Therein lies the difference. I knew him when…
Is there really a difference between writing and blogging? Isn’t one a newer form of the general other? I’m not really sure one way or the other. What I know is that when I post a typical blog post (typical being used loosely here), I get many more views and comments; when I post a story, it captures less attention. I wonder if a blogging forum like WordPress is really the right place for stories and the like. Maybe so, maybe not.
Nice!!
Word.
That’s badass. Way to go.
Thanks man. At least I think you’re a man. I don’t really know… forgive me.
I am much man indeed as I assume you are. Of course your name offers a bit more of a clue. If you check some of my earlier posts you’ll see that I’ve started adding my name and Google+ information into them so people know a little bit more about me. I just haven’t caught up with editing all the way.
You and me both… I will have to check out older posts. I am so remiss in my reading.
Good to know that the people who run these competitions know good stuff when they read it.
And if those ninnies don’t pick you for the winner, you can follow the Clay Aiken path, still writing, and your fans (Trent-chers?) can catapult you to political fame!
Or I suppose you can just keep writing great stuff…
Thanks Guapo. I’m trying not to let this go to my head, and I figure the best way to do that is to bash my head against the next story.
Clay Aiken, eh. I have never been compared to him before, but I’ll take it!
Holy crap on a twisty stick, that rocks! You stud!
Dude. My ego is swelling out of control – I may need a good kick in the head. I never submitted to a contest before, this is wild.
I am so proud of you
Dude. Wow.
Yeah, wow.
Very cool. Congrats! 😀
Thanks Matticus.
Hey HEY hey!! That’s stellar – recognition is balm for the writerly soul, especially when it comes from a source you respect. Congratulations!
Thank you Jennie! I love my CBC! I just never thought they would notice me. So weird.
Hi freaking FIve Trent. I’m so happy for you. Good on YOU. Youre a tSkented writer and should be submitting all over!!!!
Seriously happy sappy for you my friend
Talented writer (excuse my typo there)
Audra, thank you! High five back at ya.
Toot away. We all feel better!
And keep us posted!
I’m really happy for you.
Thanks Elyse, will do. I checked out some of the writers on the longlist, they’re a bit established in some cases, so my chances appear to be a bit slight. But you never know.
As they say, the honor is being included. Everything else is gravy. Hope yours is THICK!
Nice one – fully deserved – although can I ask you give poor old warren dingman a name check in you winner’s speech. He sounds a bit bitter about being overlooked. Poor lamb
Thank you. And thanks for making me think… I’m like, who the heck is Warren Dingman? And who names their child that? I was pretty sure it wasn’t you, so I went to the link, thinking it must be someone on the list, and voila, it’s someone commenting. Thanks for the treasure hunt – I think Warren needs more than a shout out though. Poor thing.
He is a Canadian National Treasure. Hope you win…
Faint praise indeed… that fine upstanding treasure trove of humanity with a Canadian passport.
Congrats, go get them Trent
Merci, mon ami.
Congrats. I don’t know you but every writer with a chance to let others share their words on a larger scale is inspiring. Be inspirational! Where can I read the short story?
Well thank you – and nice to meet you. I never put that story on WordPress, I think that’s a condition of the contest, no prior publishing on any format, so hopefully later I can put it here. I guess unless I win or something (that would be cool), then it goes in a magazine.
That’s excellent Trent! Yer work certainly is worthy such recognition n no matter the outcome certainly a strong validation on yer craft!
Thank you my friend. Feels pretty cool.
Inspiration that genuine talent is still recognized!
Thank you! I don’t know about the genuine part, though, or the talent part – but I’m still blushing about the whole thing.
Sweet.
It’s crazy.
Congrats! What a great achievement!
Thank you!
Trent! That is wonderful! not to just sound terribly dumb but where might I find the story?
Oh and I am sure glad my fuzzy green snowflake came with me! I had a blue crochet’d square
Julie! You came to my blog! That’s awesome – welcome!
The story isn’t on the blog, though, I never posted it, don’t know why. I have bunches like that, either too weird or too sucky. If I win, I guess it gets published, if I don’t, I’ll publish it here. It is a pretty odd slice of weird.
I always liked the snowflake…
I can’t find your “contact me” spot! Contact me!
It’s there somewhere… trentlewin@gmail.com.
got it. just sent you an email. you Canadian you.
Hey I take that as a compliment.
sorry, I got a tad riled up in the PMAO chat room… that little jerk…
Don’t him bother you… some people do these things on purpose.
That is awesome news! Congratulations, Trent. From what I have read, it is well deserved.
Thank you so much.
Congrats, Trent! I’m not surprised at all. This is great news!!
Hey thanks Amy – look I finally know your name! I saw you opened up shop again – awesome.
Trent I am so happy for you! You are such a talented writer and to get this kind of national recognition is just wonderful!! And i wouldn’t be surprised if you won! I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you and sending positive winning thoughts your way!
Linda, I super appreciate that, I really do.
Whoa that is awesome. Congrats to you!
Hey thanks very much, my friend.
Congratulations … and tonight when I have wine in my glass, I will toast your efforts. Good luck with the next step!
I’ll raise one with you – thanks Frank.
Consider it done! … and congrats to your women curlers and hockey team.
Isn’t that cool? There are some happy Canadians hereabouts.
Crazy game … two inches the other way on the empty net would have closed the game. Oh well … my the good guys win tomorrow. 😉 … I missed the curlers today as I forgot to set the DVR.
I know… sorry about the game today. I was in a meeting and missed it but kept an eye on my phone… whole room cheered. And now to the gold medal game…
Big ‘Merican Bravos!!!!
Hey Maggie, thank you!
I’m proud of you Trenty!! Well done!!!
G&T – thank you! And so glad to see you back! If you’re super proud, you could always wrangle up a poem and do an audio clip again, your voice and enunciation and the way you read is awesome.
Now there is a request!
Come on, G&T.
Give me a topic or something…I need inspiration for this blank brain of mine. I have the worst hangover ever…so may also sound like a dirty, old man.
How about all the bloody rain you guys are getting?
I think we are sick to death of hearing…and feeling that. I actually resemble a prune. Maybe soft sands and sunshine. We could all do with some of that.
Congratulations Trent 🙂
There are a few of your stories that I’ve read on your blog that I loved, and I’m very happy that you’re a finalist for this writing contest.
I hope that you’re proud of this writing accomplishment.
Best of luck to you on March 10th.
Chelsea! You’re back! Thanks for the kind words and well wishes, I am honestly keeping my fingers crossed for the 10th.
You’re very welcome, I’ve got my fingers crossed for you as well. 🙂
Off topic … congrats on the big win on the ice today.
Ah thanks man. Talk about a close one…. Canada won gold in men’s curling too, and women’s ski cross… I’m glad all this cold weather is good for something.
Huge round of applause Trent and much respect.
When will you know about the final placing?
Thank you Talia. I believe they publish the shortlist on March 10th, and then we see from there. Pretty exciting.
I have high hoped for you Trent, your clarity of language and equally unfettered style is, in my opinion, how modern literature should be.
Talia, you’re killing me! You’re so kind… I’m just not sure my inflating ego can stand it… anyway, thank you for such nice words. Beyond nice, actually.
To quote: I do not say something unless I actually mean it. 😉
Sometimes I wish my writing was a bit more progressive and less cluttered with the descriptive. But if I tried to emulate Hemmingway all I would produce is a poor pastiche.
Well, you have to find your style. Your voice. Don’t shy away from multiple voices. If you writing does not sound similar from piece to piece, I think that is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with descriptive, by the way, but always remember that your audience will have an imagination too – they can fill in the gaps. Sometimes, it’s the gaps that define the piece more than what you say – like the blank spaces in a drawing. An art teacher once told me that – it’s about the blank spaces more than what you write.
That is really awesome!
Thanks, my friend. Will have to see what happens. I do love me my CBC though – given that you’re from Waterloo, I figure you know who Craig Norris and his crew are. Love that stuff.
Oh I know – they wake me up every morning! 🙂
Me too. I used to listen to Matt Galloway off the Toronto feed faithfully, and I drive in a lot in the mornings so still get to hear them… felt a bit disloyal listening to Craig et al, but they’re cool. I can’t live without my CBC.
Me too! CBC actually is part of what inspires me to write – the general banter and flow of words gets me thinking. CBC also gave me my 15-seconds of fame! So now I have to listen to them 🙂
Okay, you gotta tell me about the fame thing… if you tell me you’ve been on CBC, I’m gonna lose it with jealousy. Spill the beans!
Look up 15 seconds on my site and you’ll see 🙂
Dude. I just read that. You ARE famous. Man, you were interviewed by the CBC! That is so awesome. And it was a great interview, humble and funny. Seriously, we should meet up for a coffee or a drink sometime, we’re in the same city!
Well famous is not quite the word in this case! But still it was Whoa, Cool! As I think you know. Just off playing chauffeur for my kids ttyl
This is amazing! And so well deserved!
And once again, something I knew nothing about –
Your blog looks completely different – did you lose me in the redesign?
I clicked unfollow and then follow. If you don’t start showing up in my reader, I’m gonna get PISSED.
Because I need my Trent fixes. This is bullshit!!
Thanks Samara. CBC is a pretty big institution up here in Canada, roughly the equivalent of the BBC in UK.
My wife helped me change my blog design, the old design was getting kind of drab. I hope I didn’t lose you in the redesign. I think I will likely post something tomorrow, let me know if it comes through. If not, I’ll give the WordPress helpers a buzz.
Your recognition is well deserved! I read a lot of fiction on WP – and yours excites and challenges my brain in all sorts of crazy ways. Rock on!
The new design looks great, btw.
I hope unfollowing and following helped – but you weren’t in my reader the last few times either.
Hopefully tomorrow.
I don’t know if it’s deserved… it’s a bit overwhelming. I think I’m a good writer, but not yet the writer I want to be.
Thanks for the words about the new design, my wife suggested I should change things… and then changed them for me. She got me into blogging in the first place, I wouldn’t not be here otherwise.
Let me know about tomorrow, if it doesn’t pop up, I’ll go talk to someone at WordPress. They’re pretty helpful.
TRENT!!
STOP! You’re one of the most powerful fiction writers I’ve come across, and I read a ton of them!
Some of your work is so incredibly disturbing it’s almost jumps off the page –
And then, you go all the way in the opposite direction and show us great love –
Fuck! Maybe, yes, you’ll get even better – yes, of course, we all will.
But don’t cheat yourself out of this, man! Please! I’m so into your work – don’t sell yourself short. This, if anything, should validate what we all think of you!
Lecture over.
Have a nice evening.
Thanks for that – it really means something to me. But I need to be better. I must be better. Getting better and finding that silk road to what I want to say – that’s what matters to me. I’m not really here to blog, I don’t even know how to blog. I just know narrative, and story, and fiction, and I need to improve. The great grace of being in the blogging world is meeting so many amazing, inspirational people like yourself – where else could that happen?
Thanks for the lecture, Samara. Honestly, I know I can write and that I have an imagination. But I have to push to get better – something I don’t mind. Something I crave. I have such an appetite for working, for trying, it drives me a bit nuts. I don’t know if that makes any sense. I have a feeling it may make sense to you, though.
Totally makes sense.
Really great writing both inspires- and discourages me.
It’s like I just want to write and write and write until I get better and all the while, thinking – damn! I’ll never be THAT good.
Our best work is ahead of us.
Those last words are so true, Samara.
AMAZING!
I HAD NO IDEA THIS EXISTED, BUT YOU ARE DEFINITELY WORTHY!
THIS IS CERTAINLY DESERVING OF THE ALL-CAPS TREATMENT!
Hook, you honour me! Thanks man. Yeah, CBC has been doing this for a few years, but this year I mustered the nerve to actually enter. I did not expect this, at all.
Expect the unexpected, buddy.
Yah man. I’ll enjoy the ride, that’s for sure.
Congrats, Trent! This is beyond awesome. Keep us posted on the next round but that’s amazing you’re in that top few!
Will do, Aussa. And thank you.
Congrats!! 😀 That’s awesome!
Thank you! Looking forward to March 10, near chewing my fingers to the bone over it…
Keep us in the loop, Lewin. Want to hear all about how it goes.
I will Jones. As long as we’re straight that I’m about a tenth the writer you are. I mean that.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
CELEBRATION TIME
Well, not quite… have to wait until the 10th, next Monday, to see if I make the short list. That’s the real cool part.
Naw, the list is cool enough!
It is. I got a letter in the mail saying I’d make it, I had no idea. It was pretty cool. The short-list, though, would blow my mind into enough pieces that I’d have to drink scotch for a week straight.
Well, I’m rooting for you, but either way, you’ve already won!
Thank you, my friend. I do feel pretty awesome.
WE are happy for you, Trent. You have a chance at getting the message out on a bigger platform. I guess the days of bigger challenges may be ahead, beyond when to post or what followers to visit on wordpress, to what to post, where exactly to direct the message and how to express the salient issues of humanity as your writing pen now grows longer for more people to notice you and pay more heed to what you have to say. By challenges, I do not mean a bad thing, but that the game may be rolling to new grounds for you.
Thanks Doc. I’m good with the challenge. Good with the new directions. Good with busting out and writing something new, something even I don’t see coming. But on the topic of humanity, Doc, I look to you.
Good spirits. Good attitude.
Don’t delegate. Hehehehe.