Writer books in for £2,000 prize
A FORMER Macclesfield pupil has won the 2015 Cheshire Prize for Literature.
Pauline Brown scooped the title and £2,000 prize with her short story Tick Tock.
The short story is bout child abuse, as seen through the eyes of a young girl.
The winner was announced at the 12th High Sheriff’s Cheshire Prize for Literature evening hosted by the University of Chester, where the novelist, literary critic and broadcaster, Dr Michael Arditti, was the guest speaker.
Pauline spent her formative years in Macclesfield and attended Macclesfield County High School for Girls.
She said: “It’s an absolutely amazing feeling to win.
“I’m completely stunned.
“I’ve won a couple of flash fiction competitions, but nothing as big as this.
“It was also extremely special to hear Dr Arditti’s wonderful reading of my story.
“Many thanks to all, and my congratulations to the runners-up too.”
This year’s competition was for a short story and attracted 226 of entries from writers across the world, who all have a connection with the county.
The highly commended runners-up, who received £250 for their work on the night included Cathy Bryant from Disley.
Competition judge Dr Ian Seed said: “The judging panel was looking for stories that satisfied various criteria – character, storyline, plot, and use of imagination.
“More than anything, we were looking for stories that ‘got beneath the skin’ and left a lasting impression, and our winner and our highly commended runners-up definitely did that.
“Our congratulations go to them, and to our winner, Pauline Brown, in particular.”