SOCIETY OF AUTHORS’ AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The winners of the Society of Authors’ Awards were revealed via video ceremony on 18 June, with each award being showcased throughout the day. ALCS is pleased to sponsor the awards, as well as co-sponsor the ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award.
The ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award is awarded for a short story by a writer who has had at least one short story accepted for publication. Judged by Stuart Evers and Michèle Roberts, previous winners include Benjamin Myers, Lucy Wood, Grace Ingoldby and Claire Harman.
THE ALCS TOM-GALLON TRUST AWARD WINNER: WENDY RILEY FOR EVA AT THE END OF THE WORLD, AWARDED £1,000
Born in England, Wendy Riley studied Social Science at the London School of Economics, then trained as a journalist, working on local newspapers in Windsor/Slough then movie magazines in London. Now living just outside Melbourne, Australia, Riley has since worked in a variety of roles including aged care, psychology and family therapy. She currently undertakes business writing for the ‘day job’ while pursuing creative writing of her own. Her stories have been recognised in awards in the UK, Ireland and Australia (including the Bridport Prize and the Moth). Though born in England, Wendy now lives near Melbourne, Australia.
Michele Roberts, ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award judge, says: ‘This was outstanding because of its passion, commitment, clarity and compassion.’
THE ALCS TOM-GALLON TRUST AWARD RUNNER-UP: DIANA POWELL FOR WHALE WATCHING, AWARDED £575
Diana Powell’s short stories have been published in a variety of anthologies and journals. Most recently, her work has appeared in Heartland, a Penfro competition winners’ anthology, Citizens of Nowhere (Cinnamon Press), Noon (Arachne Press), the Blue Nib magazine, issues 37 and 38. Her stories have also won, or been featured, in a number of competitions. She won this year’s ChipLit Festival Prize, the 2014 Penfro Prize, and the 2013 Allen Raine award. In 2016 she was longlisted for the Sean O’Faolain, shortlisted for the Over the Edge New Writer, and was a runner-up in the Cinnamon Press short fiction competition. Her novella, Esther Bligh, was published in 2018 by Holland House Books. She studied English at Aberystwyth university. Diana is currently based in Pembrokeshire but previously lived in Llanelli, West Wales.
Find out more about the winners of the other Society of Authors’ Awards prizes here.
