First, the money was not going to be given away since no entrant had been “good enough”; then, responding to the fury of the writers, Willesden Herald was going to split among the ten shortlist writers, who, feeling insulted, declined the offer. Willesden Herald then decided to stick to the original decision of not giving the award, but writer talk continued, and now the money is headed for England’s Comic Relief charity. The plug may be pulled on the competition altogether.
Writes Ossian of Willesden Herald: “Thanks again to all, and apologies for disrupting and upsetting so many people, but I hope you will feel that this outcome [giving the money away to charity] is an adaquate penance.”
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