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ST/PFD Young Writer award creates digital hub for aspiring authors
The Sunday Times Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award is extending its digital offer and featuring high-profile authors and literary experts as part of an “engaging, accessible online hub for emerging and aspiring writers”.
Working with its associate sponsor the University of Warwick, which is home to the Warwick Writing Programme, the prize is using its website, youngwriteraward.com, to build a free-to-all content programme in support of writers at the beginning of their careers. Anne Enright (pictured right), Ian Rankin, A L Kennedy and Nick Hornby are among the authors to write articles, alongside ‘Top Tips’ and a monthly ‘How To’ series in which essay-format pieces will provide writers with a DIY online writing course.
There will also be monthly ‘What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Writing’ articles where well-known writers will think back to when they began and will encourage, stimulate, and surprise with their reminiscences. The series starts with Paul Beatty, Enright, Rankin and Hornby; Beatty’s piece will launch the new programme next Wednesday (8th August).
Meanwhile regular ‘Top Tips’ posts by experts from the growing family of partners that make up the prize will provide informed, behind-the-scenes contributions from staff at Peters Fraser + Dunlop, staff and students at the University of Warwick, and journalists from the Sunday Times, well as guest posts from literary experts, such as the British Council, publishers and writers.
Andrew Holgate, literary editor of the Sunday Times, said: “Bringing together well-known writers, experts in the field, and a network of partners, together with an exceptional list of alumni – from Max Porter to Sarah Howe, from Zadie Smith to Robert Macfarlane, from Sarah Waters to Naomi Alderman... [this prize] is a unique support and champion for emerging and aspiring writers, providing those starting out with an increasing range of expertise, encouragement, and support.”
Sponsored by the literary agency Peters Fraser + Dunlop, the Young Writer Award is run in association with the University of Warwick, rewards the best work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry by a British or Irish author aged between 18 and 35. Last year, Sally Rooney won for her debut novel Conversations with Friends (Faber).
The 2018 shortlist will be announced on 4 November, the winner revealed with a ceremony at the London Library on 6th December.
To access the new programme, which will start to roll out from Wednesday, 8 August, and the existing archive of expert contributions, visit: youngwriteraward.com.
