Young writers celebrating awards

Young writers celebrating awards

18 May 2016

YOUNG Down writers were among those celebrated in the ‘Write Here, Write Now: A Story of Ireland’ competition run by Hot Press magazine.

Peter McGoran, from Carryduff, was named as the the Ulster Winner in the Third-Level category of the prestigious competition. Anna Stockdale, from Newcastle, was also awarded a Highly Commended honour in the Third-Level category.

The winners were announced on Monday at The Mansion House, Dublin, where Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh presented the awards.

Forming part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary programme, and run in association with the Two Cities One Book Festival, the competition aims to uncover the very best new student writing talent in the country. Fifty young student writers were shortlisted and four overall winners were selected. 

Ulster winner Peter recently graduated from the School of English at Queen’s University. His focus throughout his degree was on contemporary poetry from Belfast and he plans to continue this area of research at a Masters and doctoral level. 

His writing style has been influenced mainly by the humour and post-modernist treatment of Irishness in Flann O’Brien’s novels, as well as by the works of fellow Belfast writers such as Glenn Patterson, Robert McLiam-Watson and Brian Moore.   

Newcastle’s Anna Stockdale is influenced by her love of travelling and exploring new places. She enjoys poetry and is inspired by the scenic Mourne Mountains and the beach in her home town. 

Before the awards ceremony, the shortlisted students were treated to an insightful interview on the craft of writing, with Hot Press’s Roisin Dwyer in conversation with author Lia Mills. 

The author of Fallen was a member of the judging panel, which also comprised award-winning Irish writers Glenn Patterson, Joseph O’Connor and Christine Dwyer Hickey, as well as Hot Press Deputy Editor Stuart Clark and Editor, Niall Stokes. 

“Young writers need outlets for their work and they need to meet other writers – competitions and prize-giving ceremonies are a great way to achieve that and set them on the road to future writing,” said Ms Mills.

Hot Press editor Niall Stokes added: “Hot Press has always been about supporting emerging Irish creativity – which is why a competition like Write Here, Write Now is so important to us.

“It seemed particularly appropriate this year, 100 years on from the momentous events of the Rising of 1916, to ask students to explore the idea of Irish identity, and what it means to this new generation, by writing A Story of Ireland. 

“Students all over Ireland set about what was a difficult challenge with great determination and commitment. However, what’s really gratifying, for me as an editor, and as one of the judges, is that the quality of the entries was so high. It is wonderful to see so many young writers, some of them still in their mid-teens, who are capable of delivering powerful, original material, in a unique voice. 

“In recent times, we have come to appreciate the fact that our writing and story-telling tradition is a vital part of what distinguishes the island of Ireland. Hopefully today’s prize-giving will provide the encouragement to these remarkable young writers to press on over the coming years, work hard and develop the potential as writers and story-tellers that they have demonstrated so impressively in this competition.”

The four national winners each win an internship in Hot Press, along with a €250 cash prize. They’ll also have their winning entry published in the new issue of the music and lifestyle magazine.

The  ‘Write Here, Write Now: A Story of Ireland’ competition is in its second year and is supported by Dublin City Libraries, Libraries NI and Paperblanks.   

All the shortlisted entries can now be read at www.hotpress.com/writeherewritenow