The University, in partnership with Liverpool ONE, has announced the winners of the annual Liverpool Literary Festival short story competition.
Selected by a panel including the Liverpool Literary Festival Director, Professor Greg Lynall, and Colm Tóibín Lecturer in Creative Writing, Dr Danny O’Connor, all entrants have written a short story of no longer than 1,500 words on the theme ‘anniversaries’.
Last weekend, as part of the festival’s 10th anniversary celebrations, winners and runners up read extracts from their work.
The winners are:
- University of Liverpool staff winner: Beata McMahon (Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology)
- University of Liverpool postgraduate student winner: Georgina Marsay (MA Creative & Critical Writing)
- University of Liverpool undergraduate student winner: Jasmine Lawrence (BA Film Studies and English)
The runners up are:
- University of Liverpool staff runner up: James Aust (School of Allied Health Professionals and Nursing)
- University of Liverpool postgraduate student runner up: Rosie Harris Jones (MA English Literature)
- University of Liverpool undergraduate student runner up: Kathryn Allison (BA English)
Winners in the undergraduate and postgraduate categories received a £100 Liverpool ONE voucher. Runners up in these categories received a £50 voucher. Both winners and runners up in all categories also have their work published in an online Liverpool Literary Festival anthology.
Festival Director and Head of English at the University of Liverpool, Professor Greg Lynall said: “The theme of ‘anniversaries’ inspired some brilliant stories, with the calibre of entries particularly strong this year. In settings ranging from the first supernova to a conversation in a supermarket toilet, the stories reveal the unexpected ways that memories shape us.”
Donna Howitt, Deputy Centre Director at Liverpool ONE, said: “At Liverpool ONE, we’re passionate about championing culture and giving local talent a platform to be celebrated. The short story competition is a wonderful way to celebrate new voices and nurture local talent, especially in such a landmark year for the Festival. Congratulations to all the winners and runners up across the University on their inspiring work.”
A look back at this year’s festival
The Liverpool Literary Festival marked its 10th anniversary with another stellar line up of authors. The weekend was packed with inspiring conversations, powerful readings and an endless love of literature from everyone who attended. Here’s a taster of how the festival unfolded: