SOME of the region’s best writers have been recognised in the annual New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing.
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While entrants came from across Australia, two of the six winners were from the region.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow from The University of New England Joshua Nash was awarded the Non-Fiction Prize for his short story, A Nameless Island.
Dr Nash said he was pleased his piece on fieldwork experiences was recognised. “It’s not an Inspector Morse type of story,” he said.
Winner of the New England Award Tony Sevil took a humorous take on crime writing for his story The Disappearance of Buck.
The 70-year-old Uralla artist was thrilled.
“I will certainly be writing more humorous stories,” Mr Sevil said. “I love it when I’m writing something with a smile on my face.” Centre chairwoman Sophie Masson said she was pleased with the high level of entries.
“The entries this year were very varied according to the judges,” she said.
Click on the winner's name to read their story.
Poetry: Sponsored by the New England Writers' Centre and the Armidale Dumaresq Library
Highly Commended: Jaz Stutley (Vic) for The Waterhole
Highly Commended: Roger Vickery (NSW) for Lower Court 1D, Downing Centre
Fiction: Sponsored by the School of Arts, University of New England
Highly Commended: Sarah Evans,(WA) for Sharpshooter
Highly Commended: Tony Sevil, (NSW)for The Disappearance of Buck
Highly Commended: Lynne Cook,(NSW) for Change of Plan
Commended: Sarah Evans, (WA) for Composting Gladys
Commended: Maris Morton,(NSW) for The Passionate Gardener
Non-Fiction: Sponsored by The Armidale Express
No commendeds or highly commendeds awarded in this category.
New England Award: Sponsored by Reader's Companion Bookshop, Armidale
Emerging Author Award: sponsored by Friends of Tamworth Libraries
Youth Award: Sponsored by Granny Fi's Toy Cupboard, Armidale
Highly commended: Megan Galbraith (NSW) for The Butcher (poetry)
Highly commended: Madeleine Gome (VIC) for Lucky I've Got Lilian (fiction)
Highly commended: Bradley Lucas (NSW) for Robbed (fiction)