Calling All Short Story Writers

In memory of Michael McLaverty, one of Ireland’s most famous short story writers, the Linen Hall Library has launched the 2012 Michael McLaverty Short Story Award. Entrants must have been born in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland and be over 18 years of age. The prize is £2,000 and the writer’s work will be published by the Library.

The Library is delighted to announce that the confirmed adjudicators will be Anne Tannahill, freelance editor and former MD of Blackstaff Press, and Irish novelist Jennifer Johnston.

The competition originally launched in 2006 and runs biennially. The purpose of the award is to foster and encourage the tradition of the Irish short story. Closing date for entries is midnight Friday 29 June 2012.

McLaverty’s influence on the short story cannot be over stated. Recently John Killen, Linen Hall Librarian, recently spoke at the Library of Congress in Washington on the collections of the Library. He mentioned the importance of the Michael McLaverty Literary Archive. A staff member of the Library of Congress later wrote to him “I attended your lecture at the Library of Congress…at which you mentioned Michael McLaverty. I’d never heard of him before and based on your reference, I am now reading McLaverty’s short stories. I can’t remember having ever read such perfect, rich, poetic, concise writing. Every sentence in worth savouring, every story resonates long after reading it. And so incredibly evocative.”

John Killen, Librarian of the Linen Hall Library, says: “The number of entrants into this competition increases each time it is run. We have found the standard of writing to be exceptional and it’s always difficult to make a final decision on the winning entry and the two runners-up. This really is an excellent way for writers, professional and amateur, to showcase their work.”

Michael McLaverty’s extensive archive was presented to the Linen Hall Library in 2005.

For more information about entry guidelines please contact the Linen Hall Library on 028 9032 1707, or visit our website.

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