#311 Behind Closed Doors with David Haviland

This week, we're running a takeover in collaboration with Reedsy freelancer David Haviland! The winner of this contest will not only be awarded $250 — they’ll also receive a special bonus prize: personal feedback from David himself. For your chance to get insight from one of Reedsy’s very own professionals, read on! Here's David:

Hello writers,

I’m David Haviland, and I’ve worked in publishing for more than twenty years as a publisher, literary agent, ghostwriter, editor, and author. As a Reedsy freelancer (check out my profile here!), I love working with authors of fiction and non-fiction at every stage of their book’s development.

I’ve been working with lots of short story writers recently, and it’s currently my favourite form to read. When you explore a collection of stories from a single author and see all the strange characters and narratives they invent, you can often get a much broader sense of their unique perspective and worldview than from a single novel.

I particularly love stories that delve into hidden truths, deception, and the different identities people present to the world, so this week’s prompts focus on complex, multi-layered characters who surprise the world — or even themselves.

I’m delighted to be hosting this special contest for Reedsy, and I can’t wait to read your stories and see all the fascinating ways you interpret my prompts. Happy writing!

Special Update: The Results 🏆

David Haviland's top pick for his takeover was "Chronicles of a Limerent Object" by Carina Caccia. Here's what he had to say about the final results: "I was hugely impressed by the quality of many of the stories submitted. At least half a dozen deserved a prize, in my view, but I'm only allowed to pick three, and these are all remarkable stories. The contest was close, but the winner for me was 'Chronicles of a Limerent Object' by Carina Caccia. This is a suspenseful, gripping story about stalking, obsession and contemporary sexual politics. Reading it, you immediately feel as if you are in the hands of a master storyteller, and every moment is loaded with drama and meaning. Importantly, I really felt this piece had something to say about contemporary dating and gender roles. I look forward to seeing what these three accomplished writers do next."

Congratulations to contest winner Carina Caccia and the runners-up, Elizabeth Hoban and Audra Jones!