“The prize, named after one of Ireland’s greatest fiction writers, is designed to encourage, reward, and promote new Irish writing.” Professor Frank Shovlin
The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies have just announced a new £5,000 book prize in memory of John McGahern, for the best debut novel or short story collection by an Irish writer or writer in residence.
The inaugural John McGahern Annual Book Prize will be awarded for debut fiction published in 2019 from across all genres of Adult Fiction.
The winner will be chosen by a judging panel consisting of Colm Tóibín, Chancellor at University of Liverpool and author of Brooklyn; Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor at University of Liverpool; Sarah Gilmartin, regular reviewer of new fiction for The Irish Times; and Frank Shovlin, a Professor at the Institute of Irish Studies who is currently researching John McGahern’s work.
Professor of Irish literature in English, Frank Shovlin said: “We at the Institute are excited to launch this new initiative with the endorsement of John McGahern’s literary estate. We look forward to judging what will undoubtedly be a strong field of entries and hopefully finding a writer who will continue in that great tradition of Irish fiction of which McGahern was such a vital part.”
The prize is open to any Irish writer, or writer in residence in Ireland for more than five years, with the winner being announced in Liverpool on Wednesday 15 July 2020.
Authors and publishers are invited to send novels or collections of short stories for consideration of the prize by Thursday 19 December 2019.
Send copies for the attention of:
Viola Segeroth John McGahern Book Prize The Institute of Irish Studies University of Liverpool 1 Abercromby Square Liverpool L69 7WY
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/irish-studies/ The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies was established in 1988, and remains the only one of its kind in Great Britain. The Prince of Wales and President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins are joint patrons of the Institute, symbolising the significant role it plays in the cultural, political and cultural life of these islands.
For further information, please contact: fshovlin@liverpool.ac.uk
