THE 2010 ASHAM AWARD

The Award is open to women writers who have not yet had a novel or a collection of short stories published. Stories must not exceed 4,000 words in length.The twelve winning writers will be notified in March 2011 and the first, second and third prizewinners will be announced in September 2011 at the Small Wonder short story festival at Charleston, East Sussex.

All twelve will be published by Virago in the Asham anthology, alongside specially commissioned stories by Naomi Alderman, Kate Clanchy, Petina Gappah and Polly Sansom.

More about the judges and the guest writers

CONGRATULATIONS...

To Asham writer Carys Davies, who has won the Olive Cook Short Story Award presented by the Society of Authors, for her story The Quiet.

The award, worth £1,000 and judged by Jane Gardam and Jacob Ross, was set up in 2004 and is awarded every two years. The three previous recipients are Claire Keegan, Bethan Roberts and Alison Macleod.

Carys was the 2nd Prize winner of the 2005 Asham Award, with Hwang

and to...
Asham writer Julia Widdows whose novel Living in Perhaps has been chosen as June book of the month by the award-winning book groups website Bookgroup Info.  Have a look at the link below and please do forward it to anyone you know who is part of a book group and is looking for an interesting read

http://www.bookgroup.info/041205/index.php

and  to...
Asham's new publisher - Virago, Little Brown and Lennie Goodings, named Imprint and Editor of the Year in the 2010 Bookseller Industry Awards sponsored by the Bookseller.  While other serious fiction  publishers struggled Virago recorded the highest turnover in its 37-year history and the biggest growth of any literary publisher.  The judges called attention to Virago's crop of literary awards, including the Orange Prize for Marilynne Robinson's Home,  their strong sense ot imprint identity and pride, and the inspirational leadership of Lennie Goodings.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR ASHAM SUBSCRIBERS

Granta: the magazine of new writing

In 1979, a young American graduate revived this old Cambridge University magazine and created a home for good writing of all kinds – reportage, fiction, memoir, biography – as well as photography and, occasionally, poetry. In the years that followed, Granta established itself on both sides of the Atlantic, and continues to publish the best of new writing in English and in translation from all over the world.

Now, 100+ issues later, with another young American as editor, Granta is being re-energised. The magazine remains committed to showcasing new writers who dazzle and engage serious readers.

Published four times a year in book format, over the years, Granta has featured exciting new writing by luminaries such as Martin Amis, Will Self, Bill Bryson, Angela Carter, and Rupert Thomson, provided a platform for emerging talents including Daniel Alarcon and Zadie Smith, and tackled subjects as diverse as the fall of Saigon, adultery and how America sees the world.

Friends of Asham can subscribe for as little as £29.95 by direct debit for one year. Direct Debit customers and customers who subscribe for two or more years will also receive a free copy of Samuel Johnson prize winning Staziland: Stories From Behind the Berlin Wall. All subscribers will receive a free issue of Granta before their subscription starts.

To find out more or to subscribe please visit granta.com/ASHAM or call 0500 004 033 (quote reference ASHAM)

The Mslexia Women’s Poetry Competition 2010 is now open for entries. This year's judge is  award-winning poet Vicki Feaver. First prize is £1,000, second £500, third £250, and 22 other finalists will receive £25 each. All winning poems will be published in Mslexia magazine.

If you’re looking for inspiration or a starting point for your entry into the competition, look no further. The magazine has prepared a special set of five exercises that will be available on their website. Two exercises are available now, and a new exercise will be added each week for the next three weeks. Go to:
http://www.mslexia.co.uk/magazine/workshops/workshop_pcomp1.php

For full details on how to enter the competition go to:
http://www.mslexia.co.uk/whatson/msbusiness/pcomp_rules.php

Special offer for new subscribers: Get the current issue FREE! For full details go to:
http://www.mslexia.co..uk/shop/subscribe.php

...and more competitions and a new online writing course  from the ever adventurous Fish Publishing.  Read their newsletter here

NEW SPONSORS FOR THE ASHAM AWARD

Voted by The Independent one of the 50 best bookshops in Britain, Much Ado Books, based in Alfriston, East Sussex, is sponsoring the prize money for Asham.

“We are really pleased that we can support the Asham Award,” said partner Cate Olson . “It is a wonderful way to support new fiction writing and to honour Virginia Woolf’s spirit. We hope lots of women will continue to be inspired and to enter their stories for the competition.”

Much Ado Books offers both new and old books for readers and collectors, including special sections devoted to the Bloomsbury Group and to Virginia Woolf.

The shop, in the heart of one of the most picturesque villages in the county, features thousands of volumes, ranging from bargain paperbacks to scarce rarities. Opening hours are 9.30 to 5.30 weekdays and Saturdays and from 10am to 5pm on Sundays. Its website can be viewed at www.muchadobooks.com.

 

The Booker Foundation, the organisation  behind one of the world’s leading literary prizes is to sponsor this year’s Asham Award for new women writers.

The Booker Prize was started in 1968 and is awarded annually to the author of the best novel written in English by a Commonwealth or Irish citizen.

After the award of the 2001 prize, Booker plc was unable to continue its support, but many involved with the prize were determined to see it continue and a charity was established in 2002 - The Booker Prize Foundation - which undertakes the organisation, judging and award of the prize each year. Since 2002 the Man Group plc has sponsored the prize. 

 The Foundation’s charitable purpose is to promote the art of literature for the public benefit and the Asham Award is one of the projects which the Foundation has chosen to support.