|
poems
| short stories
at the heart of the Bridport Literary Festival The Book Shop |
The Bridport Prize Award for Dorset WritersThe Bridport Prize has an award specifically for Dorset writers. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Book Shop, there will be an extra bonus for the highest placed Dorset writer in the Bridport Prize each year. The Bridport Prize is one of the top competitions for new writing, with entries coming from as far afield as Eritrea and Estonia and prizes starting at £5000. To honour the roots of the competition in Bridport, Dorset, this prize rewards the highest placed DORSET writer with an extra prize of £100 plus a specially commissioned trophy, based on Hardy's Monument. "Those of us who help organise the Bridport Prize - opening the thousands of entries, sorting, coding and sending them off to our distinguished judges - we love the fact that entries come from all over the world. But then when we have a local winner, it is so exciting somehow. It's hard to explain, but it just feels so special that one of our local writers can win against professionals and amateurs from all over the world! It feels right that we should acknowledge that and give them a little something extra" says Frances Everitt, competition organiser. "As a local bookshop we naturally care about the Dorset literary scene and it's especially rewarding to be involved in helping to nurture new, talented authors in the county." said Ross Hendry, of The Book Shop. The Bridport Prize is most grateful to The Book Shop for their support in encouraging creative writing in Dorset. Their shop, established in the town for over 36 years, offers the discerning reader an eclectic selection of general literature but also specializing in local books. Not the usual run of the mill, The Book Shop is a characterful and welcoming place to visit. The third award was presented at the 2009 prizegiving lunch on 22nd November 2009 to Joanna Quinn from Bournemouth. The artist commissioned to make the first part of the trophy or sculpture is James Verner, the furniture designer/maker, based near Marshwood. His sculptural pieces, made from beautiful, sustainable, indigenous timber, have established him at the vanguard of the contemporary furniture scene. Dorset writers are encouraged to participate in next year's competition, launching in January 2010.
|
