The McKitterick Prize
Tom McKitterick, the former editor of Political Quarterly and author of an unpublished novel, endowed the McKitterick Prize which was first awarded in 1990. It is given annually to an author over the age of 40 for a first novel, published or unpublished.
- The annual deadline for entries is 31 October
- The application form for the 2014 prize will be available to download by the end of June
The 2012 Prize
Ginny Baily received £4,000 for Africa Junction (Harvill Secker). Runner up: Cressida Connolly for My Former Heart (Fourth Estate).
Judges: Paul Bailey, Terence Blacker, Mavis Cheek.
This year’s McKitterick winner will be appearing at the Marlborough Literary Festival (Wiltshire) at 4.30pm on Saturday 29 September. The festival runs from Friday 28 September to Sunday 30 September 2012. Find out more
Paul Bailey (pictured) on judging the Betty Trask and McKitterick prizes:
'For the last decade or so, I have judged a couple of prizes, both of which are administered by the Society of Authors – the Betty Trask award and the McKitterick prize. The latter is given to a first-time novelist over 40, and the Trask to up-and-coming, even previously unknown talent. My fellow judges are respected writers, not academics, members of parliament, television celebrities, or perpetrators of "ghosted" thrillers. We have made some terrific discoveries, especially with the current McKitterick winner, Ginny Baily, the author of Africa Junction, who is in her mid-50s. I like these moderately humble prizes, because they are in the necessary business of encouragement, with literary quality as the essential yardstick. Sod Big Books and little books alike, it's the individual voice that finally matters. It might just be a still, small voice, but if it has the power to enchant it gets my vote.'
(From Paul Bailey: I prefer humble prizes - The Guardian, Friday 13 July 2012)
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