Vaught to launch Curae literary award for writers who are carers

Author Anna Vaught is launching a new literary prize  for writers and would-be writers who are carers, which will open for submissions in January 2023.

Having been a carer as a teenager and having had to manage writing and work alongside serious family illness for the past three years, with the additional aspect of her own chronic illness, Vaught “wants writers to be heard, seen, included and understood” by the Curae Prize.

“If you want to write — including aiming for publication — it can be hard to find confidence, time and energy,” she said.  “I’m a passionate advocate for creative work in our wellbeing and I think writing can be at the core and not seen as a luxury.

“Maybe you need someone — whether you’re a first-time writer or a little further on — to look after you a bit. So my plan for this competition is that it’s free to enter — I anticipate short story and creative non-fiction categories — and prizes will hopefully include a break away for respite with some creative add-ons, although we will adapt to access needs. Space and support are vital.”

She emphasised that entrants to the prize need not write about their caring role, though they are welcome to.

Vaught says she has already been offered a substantial cash prize, mentoring and a place on a writing course for winning writers, but is open to being contacted by anyone in the industry who would also like to offer a prize, including mentoring or an agent one-to-one. She can be contacted at annavaughttuition@gmail.com or on Twitter. 

“The last three years have been extraordinarily challenging, so I aim to offer the boost I would have wanted for myself,” she continued. “Moreover, I know first-hand that if you are a carer you may also be battling for support, diagnoses and funding — it’s distressing and debilitating — and I want writers to be heard, seen, included and understood.” 

Vaught is a novelist, short fiction writer, creative writing teacher, secondary English teacher, young people’s mentor and Bookseller columnist. She is currently crowdfunding a book on gentle productivity with Unbound entitled The Alchemy. Her books include Saving Lucia (Bluemoose) and Famished (Influx Press).