Celebrated writer Philip Pullman has lent his support to the University’s staff and student Short Story Competition.
Returning for 2022 with a brand new theme of ‘Looking Forward, Looking Back,’ the competition is open for entries until 22nd April.
Philip Pullman, best known for the His Dark Materials trilogy, has recorded the below video message for staff and students who are considering entering the competition:
You are invited to submit a short story of up to 1500 words relating to the theme of Looking Forward, Looking Back. This competition is open to all staff and all students, with three categories: staff, undergraduate students and postgraduate students.
The winner of each category will have their story published in the University’s ‘The Great Read’ anthology later this year alongside short stories from established authors, and they will also be given the chance to feature in the annual Liverpool Literary Festival. There are also cash prizes for each category, as follows:
1st prize: £500
2nd prize: £300
3rd prize: £200
The panel of judges for the competition includes:
- Dinah Birch, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Cultural Engagement and Professor of English Literature.
- Frank Shovlin, Professor of Irish Literature in English, Institute of Irish Studies.
- Saul Leslie, University of Liverpool PhD candidate and 2021 ‘Postgraduate’ category winner.
- Dr Danny O’Connor, Colm Tóibín Lecturer in Creative Writing, Department of English.
Find out more and submit your story here. The closing date for entries is Friday, 22nd April 2022 at 23:59.
There is no entry fee, but each writer can only enter one story.
There is a 1500-word limit and all submissions must be written in English.
This follows a successful inaugural competition in 2021, with the theme of ‘Changing Natures’.
Image: Chris Howells via Wikimedia Commons