We’re delighted to announce the winners of the New Writing South sponsored Sussex short story Prize and Poetry Prize as part of Hastings Book Festival. The calibre of writing was extremely high and it was a joy to read all the submissions.
It was not an easy choice but the winner of this year’s short story prize is Once Upon a Time in Bulverhythe by Sue Gilbert. A beautifully crafted short story with brilliant characterisation and a real sense of place.
Sue Gilbert said: ‘ I’m highly chuffed to win the Sussex Prize for my story. I’ve lived in St Leonards-on-Sea for the past eight years and growing up I stayed with my Sussex dwelling grandparents every school holiday. I’ve always felt at home here, beautiful places and friendly, relaxed people. Just wonderful! Thank you.’
The shortlist for the poetry prize was jam packed with quality, featuring repeated themes of humanity’s balance with nature, impending apocalypses and fracturing relationships. The winner is of this year’s prize is Instructions For Post-Menopause Facial Peel by Dawn Rhodes-Shaw. The poem walks a delicate line between the visceral and the elegiac and stayed with us long after reading.
Dawn Rhodes-Shaw said: ‘ Winning the Sussex Prize for Poetry sponsored by New Writing South is an absolute honour and delight. I can’t thank NWS enough for selecting my poem. Having been writing poetry since I was teenager but only recently sending my work out, this is the biggest and most incredible boost of encouragement for me to keep going.’
It has been a privilege to read work by such gifted authors and poets in the South East region. Both prize winners receive a free weekend festival pass to The Coast is Queer, a choice of our on-line self-paced courses and an hour mentoring with one of our professional writers.
See the full details of the festival at Hastings Book Festival website.
