Shortlists

Pardon me for I know in advance this post will ramble.

I got a phone call today telling me I was shortlisted for The Francis McManus short story competition. (Huge short story comp here in Ireland. Top prize of 3000 euro) I've also been invited to the Awards Ceremony in April.
Now the thing is the coverage was brutal where I was at the time and I heard the conversation something like this,

Francis **&^%88& Comp ^^)(*%^&%$^ twenty%^^&%% shortlist ***Award Ceremony%^^&^% Dublin etc. Then I managed to get a spot of better coverage and she asked me would I be able to attend and all that.
Apparently I'll receive a letter next week with the invites but here's the thing,
I don't really know if she meant you have been shortlisted, well done, that's as far as you're going, or you've been shortlisted and we'll see if you've won on the night.

What is the usual protocol, does anybody know? Are the winners told in advance, or do people turn up genuinely not knowing who's won.
Next week when I get the invite and probably a name to inquire of, I'm definitely going to ring and find out but in the meantime does anyone have any idea how these things are done.

Thanks.

Yes, I suppose, I'm just stressing about the missing portion of the phone call, because I truly missed close to 80 % of the first half of it. Maybe she was like, well you have only shortlisted but you can attend the ceremony if you like. I know I'm not making sense. I Hope the letter clarifies things.

Last year, on their website, they had a picture up of the winner receiving the trophy. It would be quite weird if they didn't get their publicity shot. I know once before I won a prize in a competition and they rang me up to make sure I'd be there. There wasn't a short list then though, just prize winners so I guess nobody went home disappointed.

It's quite a long way though to bring twenty people if only three can win prizes.

Oh, I don't know. But thanks for your input. You've cheered me up a bit. I don't know why but I feel better about it now.

Judg said:

OK now, repeat after me: I'm sorry, ma'am (or sir), the signal broke up and I didn't catch what you said. Could you repeat what you just said please?

Won't do you any good this time, but do have it memorized for future reference.

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Yeah, I know. I know. Duh!

pdr said:

I can understand you were too flabbergasted to ask for a repeat. Congratulations.

From what I remember of the McManus - I bet you've thrown your comp details away haven't you? - all the short listed writers have to attend and the winner is announced on the night.

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I hope you're right. It would make the night that bit more interesting.
And yes, I was too flabbergasted.

Well you've written the script for flabbergasted situations. All you have to do is memorise it. Or write it on the back of your hand so as to be always prepared.