'There's an App for That'

by Simon F. Ratcliffe

• The first paragraph is confusing, and I had to read this through twice to GET it, that it’s the devil talking, or rather the evil spirit behind the magic selfie stick. Then I thought, what a great idea, a whole new take on dealing with the devil, although the outcome isn’t too good for the unnamed hero. All the app abbreviations make this a bit disjointed in style but there’s some good imagery. And for the Peruvian Kayapo people, “akaron kaba” not only means “to take a photo” but it also means “to steal a soul.” Who would have known that little gem! Ginny
• Very unusual use of second person gives the story and its grim first person narrator an unnerving closeness to the reader. Some excellent descriptions. Clever use of bite-sized comments on life string together perfectly to create an original  story with a twist about soulless social-media life. Alex
• Highly original, pulls no punches in laying bare the vampire-like demands of social media. Told with razor-sharp wit and blindingly bleak, on-point humour. Andrew
• This is very well written, it's an attention grabber, and it's very relatable and current. The progression of the story works well, and while we can see what's coming, it's still told in a compelling way and keeps us reading. Karen

'Hero's Brush With Mutiny'

by

• This story encompassed a lot: while trying to report a smash and grab from her car we learn a lot about Claude and their relationship, and we are willing her to stay away and not return to all that grey air surrounding him. Good use of language and some great phrases which lift this one. Liked the way she identified with the paint brush thief, and was ready to forgive him. Ginny
• Some good descriptions in this story in which a shattered window forces the narrator to reconsider her situation in the world. The abandoned paintbrush is perhaps a bit contrived. Alex
• Accomplished intertwining of the drudgery and frustration of dealing with the aftermath of crime, with the disappointment and regret of a fragmenting intimate relationship. Andrew
• This story wasn't like others I've read before, which is always good. I found it curious, and I feel like I need to think about it a lot, but nothing felt out of place or incongruous, and your lead character is beautifully realised. Karen

'Mother Knows'

by

• The mother from hell, but at least she has her attractive therapist so there is hope for her happiness in that direction! The writing is a bit over the top and frantic all round. Pay-off line didn’t connect to the rest of the story – there’s been no foreshadowing that their mother wanted another child or anything to relate to this. Ginny
• Fascinating set-up with the narrator and her two relationships: one with the psychoanalyst and one with her mother. It has shades of a quirky French Art film to it, what with the 'carrier' walking around at the party. And although the mother's announcement is suitably shocking, the story doesn't quite come together as one might hope. The relationship with the therapist is forgotten. Perhaps it needs to be a longer story. Alex
• A disarmingly candid and visceral glimpse into the psychological toll exacted by ruthlessly selfish parenting. Exceptional use of imagery throughout. Andrew
• This storyteller has a great style and ease of writing. There's also a charming lead character. But I struggled with the plot - things felt uneasy from the beginning, with the idea of a therapist accompanying someone to a family event, so the big reveal didn't really work. I appreciate trying to tackle a different kind of story, but the shift here didn't seem natural. Karen

Honourable Mention

      More Stories We Loved

‘Marriages Are Made on Earth’ - by Janet Hart
‘Decisions’ - by Claudia Tsima
‘A Hundred Prayers to a Deaf God’ – by Karabo Mohapi
‘Queen of the Mountain’ – by Michaela Perkel
‘Ares Loved’ - by Milo Maia
‘Reunion’ - by Ronel Klatzkin (nee Zeff)
‘A Life Lesson’ - by Chérie van der Westhuizen
‘Messing with the Wedding’ - by Nikky Olivier
‘The Sunset Illusion’ - by Josh Raats
‘Something's Happened’ - by Sherelle Van Dyk
‘Peaks and Valleys’ - by Jonah Kollenberg
‘The Box’ – by Emill Steenkamp
‘Granddad Jerry’ - by Vadomen Ngomane
‘Incessant’ – by LJ Livesey
'Rough Night' - by Uthimna-Yena Kwatsha
‘I Don't Want to Make a Fuss’ - by Spencer Jones
‘The Nice Girl and the Stranger’ – by Simone le Roux
‘Heart on Strings’ - by Daniel Van Eck
‘Surprise’ – by Henri Schomper
‘The Stork’ - by Reginald Ridgard
‘Tears for Water’ - by Kirsten Kargaard
‘Louise’ - by Keila van Vuuren
‘Good Morning’ - by Thabang Shikishi
‘Thirty Days’ – by Hannelie Rix
‘An Ado About Amy’ - by Sally-Anne Viljoen
‘Flying the Coop’ – by Jo Grobler
‘The Oppressed’ - by Joy Adewumi
‘My Special Day’ - by Nazneen Adam
‘Chance’ - by Petro Nel
‘All That Glitters’ - by Lynne Moses
‘The Engagement Party’ -by Waseem Wadia
‘Graced After All’ - by Petru J Viljoen
‘Master and the Mere’ – by R.K. Andrew
‘The Inconsequentially Consequential Act of Chasing After One’s Sibling in the Supermarket’ - by Zoe Hanslo
‘The Celebration on the Hill’ - by Muleya Musonda
‘Just a Stain’ - by Jarryd Munslow
‘Tjie’ - by Ijeoma Sharon Adaugo Iroka
‘Blood Justice’ – by Charmaine Ncube
‘Room 27’ - by Carmen Riekert
‘For Not Talking’ - by Xola Stemele
‘A Deadly Seduction Analysis’ – by Senamile Sithole
‘Fear in the Life of the Illusive Black’ – by Litha Sipunzi
‘No not I’ – by Karen Downs
‘Nokhanya’ – by Mlambo Ntsako
‘Ernest the Dickhead’ – by Stephen Harrison
‘Who Made Me?’ – by Nokwazi Sangweni