NICOLAS RIDLEY – WINNER:
The Squat Pen Rests was a very special event: wonderfully-well organised, some
super stories across a range of genres, a large and appreciative audience and a whole
lot of fun. It was a privilege and a pleasure to be invited to take part. A re-run is long
overdue!

MARK RUTTERFORD – RUNNER-UP:
The Squat Pen Rests was a dream: packed crowd, amazing atmosphere and brilliant
stories. If you do one event this year, make it this one. The Costa would be nice, Bridport short story prize too, but The Squat Pen Rests Championship of the World is the one I really want to win.
Telling stories should not be this much fun, it was like the whole room was on gas and
air. I can't wait to go back for more. Impossible not to think of that night and smile - it was the perfect mix of stories, with a passionate and appreciative audience. It was like being on The Pyramid Stage at Glasto, except it was in a theatre in Swindon but you know what I mean.Vibe? Think Glasto, think of the darts, think Carnival, think World Cup Final, think of TheEras tour, think Oktoberfest, think Diwali and then...think of Swindon.
 

CHRISTOPHER FIELDEN
I had the privilege of performing at the inaugural Squat Pen Rests event, way back in
2018. There were brilliant performances from everyone involved, and a sold-out,
welcoming, supportive crowd all cheering us on. Steve is a legend and did a fab job
hosting the event. And I still have my mug, proving I was a combatant. In fact, as I write
this, I’m sipping tea from it. The legend on the side is faded from too many spins in the
dishwasher, but if you squint you can make out the words… “26 th  January 2018 – The
Squat Pen Rests Writing Competition Runner-up… (But blimey it wasn’t half close)”. I
could not recommend this event more. It’s fun, it’s friendly, it’s AMAZING. You have to
attend.