THE JUDGING PANEL 2022

JO BENNETT Director & writer JBPR

Jo Bennett is a freelance feature writer and book coach. She has worked in publishing for over a decade, including at Penguin Random House UK and Walker Books. She runs a Substack called The Ghost Ranch.

ON ‘MAMA WAITED FOR THE RAIN’

I was drawn to the poetry of this piece. Emilie has a knack for expressing an emotion or thought using simple imagery; “Jane’s smile was still hers” stayed with me, and speaks volumes to the relationship and history between the two women. The way the author uses natural elements: heat, breezes and a downpour does a wonderful job of mirroring the emotional landscape of the characters.

MADDY SEXTON Editor Wakefield Press

Maddy Sexton, an editor at Wakefield Press, manages the YA imprint and submissions. In 2021, she was a judge and convenor in the Arts South Australia Wakefield Press Unpublished Manuscript Award.

ON ‘MAMA WAITED FOR THE RAIN’

In this bittersweet tale, a woman returns to her parents’ droughtstricken farm after being sent away to study in the city, finding that the distance between herself and her family has grown too wide to bridge. When a childhood friend reveals a betrayal from their past, the woman empties her grief into the earth, as the skies open in a cleansing downpour, freeing her from the shame she has carried for years.

DONNA DUGGAN Managing Editor MiNDFOOD

Donna Duggan was an original member of the MiNDFOOD team at the magazine’s inception in 2007. She has 29 years’ experience as magazine editor, journalist and newspaper columnist and has been judging the Short Story monthly finalists for the past four years.

ON ‘MAMA WAITED FOR THE RAIN’

I was immediately drawn in by the opening of Emilie’s story, setting the scene and introducing the characters so evocatively from the start. There’s a clearly defined mood, strong character and story development and a satisfying ending. Emilie was able to communicate substantive themes in addition to just telling a story.