Somewhat predictably, short story mistress CLAIRE KEEGAN has won the €25,000 Davy Byrnes Irish Writing Award.
Keegan’s winning short story 'Foster' was chosen from a shortlist of six by Richard Ford. Caroline Walsh, Literary Editor of The Irish Times, read from Ford's winning citation, in which he praised the writer’s “sparkling talent”.
Apparently Claire told how she walked across snowy fields with her entry to the comp close to the deadline, until she found a postbox, and had dropped the envelope into it before wondering how the postman was going to collect it in a mini-blizzard. Clearly and, luckily for her, her story made it to Dublin in time.
More here in today's Times.
WOMEN RULE WRITER: Lit blog of Nuala O'Connor / Nuala Ní Chonchúir
10 comments:
I'm a fan of Claire's (though much prefer her first collection to her second), but was hoping one of the less well-known writers would win ... still, if her story was the best you can't argue.
Hi E,
Me too, I'm a fan. And, like you, as a collection, I prefer Antarctica to WTBF, though there are some great stories in the latter.
Richard Ford is an acknowledged fan of hers, so I was sure she'd win. We like what we like, right?
N x
Well done to Claire - I'm a fan too, I recommended her 2nd collection to my workshoppers and a good few of them loved it. Nice prize, huh? :)
Fab prize, B. I'd love a big chunk of money like that so I could stop worrying about earnings for a while. Sigh.
You're not in it for the money though, surely...
Claire is brilliant, have only read her second collection, so if the first is better I can't wait to read it. Can't wait to read "Foster" either.
No, not in it for the money (I'm not completely mad...yet!). But, as a full-time writer, writing is my only form of income.
congratulations to Claire! I have yet to read any of her stories, am looking forward to that. Great story about the snowy fields.... email entry just doesn't carry the same romantic charge, eh?!
I can see her writing is good but it jsut doesn't hit any buttons for me. Too gloomy - life's shit and then you die type. Wish someone else less lauded had won too.
I was not an immediate fan of Claire's writing style. I thought it too predictable. But after attending one of her writing courses at UCC when Claire was writer in residence I was impressed. No, more than impressed - I was hooked. This woman has a gift for making every word count. Now back living in New Zealand I still reflect on Claire's teachings when I write. I'm thrilled for you Claire and can't wait to read your second collection. Neva in NZ
Hi Neva - yes, she's a brilliant teacher (what a great combination). I did a course she ran in the Irish Writers' Centre years ago and I enjoyed every minute - she was passionate and informative.
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