The prize celebrates the life of Newcastle-born writer Gordon Burn, attendee of Morden Tower readings in the 60’s and later a distinctive writer in the canon of British literature. In the spirit of his work, the prize selects books from beyond the mainstream for their forward-thinking, boundary-pushing and important subject matter. This year’s shortlist is no less impactful, featuring a majority of women writers, and exploring a wide range of themes; from Ootlin’s exposure of the failures of the UK care system, to Headshot’s visceral internal monologue of teenage girl boxers, to Poor Artist’s depiction of the pay-to-win artistic industry derived from a series of real-life interviews with artists.
The Gordon Burn Prize is much more than an awards ceremony
The Gordon Burn Prize is much more than an awards ceremony – for some, it will be a significant step forward in kickstarting their future career. For others, it might simply be an opportunity to experience the world of literature and the events that support an increasingly non-exclusive industry. No matter what stage in your education or career, the Gordon Burn Prize welcomes you to take part.
If you’re interested, you can find more information on New Writing North’s Instagram page @nwnnewwritingnorth, or on their website where ticketing information is also available. We look forward to seeing you there!