CWA: Literary Talent

The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award is now open for entries for its 11th year. The Prize is a platform for emerging and established poets and writers to showcase their work to audiences across the world. A celebration of excellence in new writing, it nurtures talented practitioners by offering them opportunities to further their career. Each year, a total of 60 finalists are selected by a panel of literary experts for publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award Annual and further exposure via Aesthetica’s digital channels.

The winners from each category – Poetry and Short Fiction – are also awarded £1,000 prize money each; a selection of books from Vintage and Bloodaxe Books; a one year print subscription to Granta; Full Membership to The Poetry Society (Poetry Winner) and a consultation with Redhammer Management (Short Fiction Winner). Furthermore, each published finalist receives a complimentary copy of the Annual – a dynamic compendium that unites innovative practitioners.

Industry professionals including Poet Dr Oz Hardwick and Arifa Akbar, journalist, critic and former Literary Editor of The Independent judge the work. There is also a panel of readers for the Short Fiction category, including writer Steve Toase; Martine Pierquin, Lifelong Learning Tutor at the University of Edinburgh; Liz Jones, School of Education & Lifelong Learning at Aberystwyth University; Katy Guest, Editor and Journalist (The Guardian) and former Books Editor on the Independent on Sunday; Teresa Palmiero, journalist and editor and former reader for the Wasafiri short story prize; Tom Vowler, Associate Lecturer at the University of Plymouth and Rebekah Lattin-Rawstone, author and Creative Writing Lecturer at City University London.

Writers are invited to submit their work by 31 August 2017, and there is no limit to the number of times that a person can enter. The Award welcomes all themes and subject matter, and all works must be written in English. Poetry submissions should be no more than 40 lines and Short Fiction entries should be no more than 2,000 words. Pick up a copy of the current annual for inspiration.

For full guidelines and the entry form, visit www.aestheticamagazine.com/cwa.

Credits:
1. Ellie Davies, Between the Trees. Courtesy of the artist. Aesthetica Art Prize 2016 finalist.