Student enters the Dragon’s Pen

Thursday 2 September 2010

An aspiring writer from the University of St Andrews has won an important award for new literary talent.

Anna Stewart, a student on the University’s creative writing degree, has been awarded the Dragon’s Pen Award for new writers.  The award means that Anna’s work will be read by a literary agent, a crucial first step for any aspiring author.

The award was announced during the Edinburgh International Book Festival. During the event, Anna had to read an excerpt from a series of short stories she has written called ‘Pleasureland’.  Inspired by an indoor amusement arcade, the stories are set in Dundee and Arbroath.

She commented afterwards, “The event was extremely nerve racking, but a great experience, because I received valuable feedback from professionals.  It was wonderful to be put forward for this event by the English department at St Andrews”.

Nine students from all the creative writing courses in Scotland competed for the attention of judges: Francis Bickmore (Senior Editor at Canongate), agent Lucy Luck and The Guardian’s Arts Correspondent Charlotte Higgins.  All the students had four minutes in which to read a sample of their work and ‘pitch’ it to the judges.   The event, held in front of a packed house, was part of the ‘Unbound’ strand of events at the Book Festival.

Ends


Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews

Contact Gayle Cook, Senior Communications Manager on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected]

Ref:  Dragons Pen 020910

View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk


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