Manchester Writing Competition 2010

Cheshire-born Judy Brown won the £10,000 first prize and New-York based Michelle Kern was awarded the Manchester Young Writer of the Year Award and a bursary for study at the University.

This year’s competition was for poetry and judges Simon Armitage, Lavinia Greenlaw and Daljit Nagra were delighted with the range of work submitted.

Having chaired the panel, Armitage summed up the process: “The Manchester Writing Competition allows judges to look for strength of writing in depth, not just in single poems, and there was so much talent on display here. We have looked beyond competence and experience hoping to find courage and bravery in the writing, and believe we have been rewarded with a really exciting short-list and a truly worthy winner.” 

They selected six finalists, and the winners were announced at a prize-giving gala dinner at MMU on Friday 22nd October. This event formed part of the 2010 Manchester Literature Festival, and featured readings from all three judges and each of the six finalists before the prizes – £10,000 and a bursary for study at MMU – were awarded. 

Prize-Giving Ceremony of 2010

The winner of the 201 Manchester Writing Competition Fiction Prize were revealed at the Manchester Literature Festival ceremony. To view all the photos click the left and right arrows on the photo below or view the album on Flickr.