Kang wins White Review Short Story Prize

Jiaqi Kang has won the White Review Short Story Prize for "Class of 1985", described as "a story that sings with romance and intelligence". 

The annual prize, which is sponsored by RCW, aims to spotlight emerging writers. The winning entry was revealed at a live event in London on 16th October.
On the judging panel this year were author Julia Armfield, Granta Books commissioning editor Ka Bradley, White Review’ editor Rosanna McLaughlin and RCW agent Matt Turner.
Armfield, who won the prize in 2018, said: “’Class of 1985’ is a story that sings with romance and intelligence, sex and strangeness; the kind of story that excites you from its opening line. I read it once and then immediately went back to the beginning. It’s a hugely worthy winner from a writer of incredible humour and skill!"

Turner, on behalf of RCW, added: "Each year the White Review Short Story Prize jettisons writers to the top of my to-read pile and introduces me to new voices I wouldn’t have found anywhere else. It has already helped so many writers begin their careers, so to have been involved in judging has been a joy, and something I’ve cherished.

"There were some exceptionally strong entries, but the ambition of this year’s winner stood out immediately. Weaving myth with philosophy, “Class of 1985” is a love story that sings with erotic pleasure, and is a paean to the meaning and making of art. Like all great short stories, it seems to capture a moment in time, while reaching well beyond it into our present. I cannot wait to read what each of the shortlisted authors write next, and see their work flourish."

Previous winners of the prize include Claire-Louise Bennett, Ruby Cowling, Owen Booth, Sophie Mackintosh, Nicole Flattery, Julia Armfield, Vanessa Onwuemezi, Elizabeth O’Connor and R Z Baschir. They have gone on to secure publishing deals with Hamish Hamilton, Picador, Fitzcarraldo Editions, Fourth Estate, Bloomsbury, Boiler House Books and The Stinging Fly.