Darlington man among winners of SC Arts Commission’s fiction project

FLORENCE — A Darlington man is among 12 people who are 2008 SC Arts Commission’s fiction project winners.

Phillip Gardner teaches at Francis Marion University and has published a great deal of work.

This is his third time winning in this competition category, but he said the surprise never fades.

“It’s a thrill,” Gardner said. “It’s fun because it’s limited to South Carolina writers and I’ve had a lot more publication outside of South Carolina than at home. It’s always nice to write something your neighbors might like.”

The Post and Courier will publish his piece Sept. 21.

His short story, “Kids Rule,” earned him the win in this year’s contest, along with $500 for first publishing rights to his story.

The piece is about a last family vacation for two brothers who later see their parents go through a divorce.

Gardner said one of the parts he likes most about the story is the point of view. It’s told through the children’s eyes.

“In some ways, it’s a challenge to write a five-page story that adorns worth,” he said. “It’s a little over 1,600 words but you get the full picture when you read it.”

Each contestant’s work was judged on its literary quality and suitability for a general newspaper audience, said Milly Hough, spokeswoman for the commission.

“This competition started in 1984 and it really is supposed to support the development of the literary world across the state,” she said. “It’s committed to the development of South Carolina writers and artists.”

Some of Gardner’s recent work has appeared in The North American Review, Hayden’s Ferry Review, Potomac Review, Cadillac Cicatrix, Apalachee Review, Louisiana Literature, REAL and Rainbow Curve.

While sitting at his desk,  located in room 123 in Founder’s Hall on FMU’s campus, Gardner also talked about his book, “Someone To Crawl Back To,” a collection of short stories that’s available online at http://www.amazon.com.

The wall above his desk is adorned with a 15-year-old painting his son, Hunter, drew for him long ago. Below it are letters from such magazines as Esquire, Playboy, Redbook and The Atlantic Monthly.

“They’re rejection letters,” he said with a smile. “But they keep me motivated. You know that you’ve made it to the top 1 percent when you have editors at these publication hand writing you letters to say they liked your work but it didn’t quite make it.”

The SC Fiction Project is open to South Carolina residents 18 years or older.

Writers interested in participating in the 2009 contest should submit previously unpublished short stores of 2,500 words or less by Jan. 15.