Now in its ninth year, the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award is an internationally renowned competition that attracts submissions from emerging and established writers from around the world. In 2015, the award received more than 2,500 entries from over 40 countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, the USA, Spain, Sweden, Japan, Egypt, Ireland, and across the UK. Delve into a unique selection of extraordinary short fiction and poetry from 60 shortlisted authors with the Creative Writing Annual 2016 – now available to order and download online.
This year’s anthology includes a broad collection of reputable and promising international talent, and the featured compositions invoke a rich array of imagery and concepts that illuminate daily life. Among the shortlist are the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2015 winners, Jasmine Sky Ruff with Polaroid Venation (Short Fiction) and Leland James with At the Nursing Home – inside an old man vacant by the window (Poetry), who both receive £500 prize money, a selection of books from Bloodaxe Books and Vintage Books along with a subscription to Granta for all year round inspiration.
Poetry winner James’s works have appeared in publications world-wide and have received numerous international honors. He is the author of three books of poetry. At the Nursing Home – inside an old man vacant by the window was selected by Poet and Professor Dr Oz Hardwick, who also offers an engaging introduction to the poetry section at the beginning of the anthology. This professional review offers an insight into the current literary landscape, contextualising the entries while mapping out current trends and developments.
Living in Vancouver, Ruff is studying Creative Writing and English Literature at the University of British Columbia. Polaroid Venation is part of a collection of short stories in progress. Her piece was selected by Short Fiction Judge and Literary Editor of The Independent, Arifa Akbar, who also introduces the second half of the anthology with a text on Fiction and this year’s shortlisted writers.
Be inspired by international writing and pick up the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual 2016. This inspiration collection combines longevity with innovation – a book that will stay with the reader, while offering new perspectives on the world and our place within it. See this year’s shortlist at www.aestheticamagazine.com/creative-writing-award/shortlist-2015.
The Creative Writing Annual is available to order in hard copy or download online. Visit the Aesthetica shop.
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Credits
1. Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual 2015 cover image: Ellie Davies, Between the Trees, 2014. From the series, Between the Trees, 2014.
