Prizes Galore at Swanwick!
I'm always excited when the week comes around for my annual pilgrimage to Swanwick Writers' Summer School. But this year was extra-exciting because I'd won 2nd Prize in the annual Short Story Contest. As regular readers of my blog will know, this story was about 19th century abolitionist and showman Henry "Box" Brown, about whom I read in David Olusoga's magnificent book Black and British: A Forgotten History. And, oh yes, I might have mentioned once or twice that I met David at Bradford Lit Fest and told him all about it. I don't think I will ever get sick of this photo: I was a little disappointed that only 1st prize winners got a reserved slot in the Prose Open Mic, meaning that, while I did get to read my story, my 5 minutes ran out before I reached the closing line, "Henry Brown will never escape the box," and I was so late in the programme that most people had left for the bar/Wild West Disco. However, it was enjoyed by the faithful few...