Competition | 12 June 2010

In Competition 2650 you were invited to submit a letter from a publisher rejecting the Book of Genesis or Revelation.
You lambasted both for a lack of coherent plot and narrative inconsistencies, and prescribed extensive editing. There were redeeming features, though: Paddy Briggs applauded the ‘geriatric sex narrative’ in Genesis, while J. Seery found much to commend — ‘Noah’s robust response to environmental challenge has current market appeal…’ — but ruled out publication on the grounds of ‘the author’s unwillingness to undertake the usual promotional tours’. Brian Murdoch also saw signs of promise: ‘The opening nude romp, the phallic snake and all that begetting could be a turn-on, and we liked the trendy eco-disaster stuff with all the cuddly animals, and especially the fun bit where Noah gets plastered and exposes himself.’ Gripping!

Commendations to Terry Saunders, Jan D. Hodge, D.A. Prince and Barry Baldwin. The winners, printed below, get £30 each.