• Anne Enright, Ian Rankin and Nick Hornby among authors to write articles, alongside ‘Top Tips’ and a monthly ‘How To’ series, written this year by AL Kennedy - author and an Associate Professor in the Warwick Writing Programme

The Sunday Times Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award, in association with the University of Warwick, is extending its digital offer with high-profile authors and literary experts contributing to an engaging, accessible online hub for emerging and aspiring writers.

Working with its associate sponsor, the University of Warwick's Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies – home to the acclaimed Warwick Writing Programme – the prize is using its website, youngwriteraward.com, to build a free-to-all content programme in support of writers at the beginning of their careers, featuring:

Monthly ‘How To’ guides. These accessible, essay-format pieces will provide writers with a DIY online writing course. The series is written by a different writer each year; in 2018 by the author AL Kennedy, Associate Professor at the University of Warwick.

Monthly ‘What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Writing’ articles. Well-known writers will think back to when they began and will encourage, stimulate, and surprise with their reminiscences. The series starts with Paul Beatty, Anne Enright, Ian Rankin and Nick Hornby. Paul Beatty’s piece will launch the new programme on Wednesday, 8 August.

Regular ‘Top Tips’ posts by experts from the growing family of partners that make up the prize, with informed, behind-the-scenes contributions from staff at Peters Fraser + Dunlop, staff and students at the University of Warwick, and journalists from The Sunday Times, well as guest posts from experts from the literary world, such as the British Council, publishers and writers.

Andrew Holgate, Literary Editor of The Sunday Times, said: “Bringing together well-known writers, experts in the field, and a network of partners, together with an exceptional list of alumni – from Max Porter to Sarah Howe, from Zadie Smith to Robert Macfarlane, from Sarah Waters to Naomi Alderman – the Sunday Times/Peters Fraser and Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award, in association with Warwick University, is a unique support and champion for emerging and aspiring writers, providing those starting out with an increasing range of expertise, encouragement, and support.”

Generously sponsored by the literary agency Peters Fraser + Dunlop, the Young Writer of the Year Award, in association with the University of Warwick, rewards the best work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry by a British or Irish author aged between 18 and 35. Last year, Sally Rooney won the prize for her debut novel Conversations with Friends.

The British Council is the international partner of the prize, opening doors for shortlisted authors abroad and providing opportunities for cross-border collaborations and exposure beyond the UK and Ireland. The University of Warwick is offering a bespoke 10-week residency to the winner.

The 2018 shortlist will be announced on 4 November, the winner revealed with a ceremony at the London Library on 6 December.

To access the new programme, which will start to roll out from Wednesday, 8 August, and the existing archive of expert contributions, please visit: youngwriteraward.com

Keep up to date with the award and join the conversation via: twitter.com/youngwriteryear

3 August 2018

Notes to Editors

The Sunday Times / Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award:

Founded in 1991, the award recognises the best literary work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry by a British or Irish writer of 35 and under. £5,000 is given to the winner, and £500 to each of the three runners-up. The award was suspended in 2008, but with the generous sponsorship of Peters Fraser + Dunlop it was revitalised in 2015, building on the remarkable legacy of the prize by introducing two significant and exciting innovations: extending its reach by including writers from Ireland and including self-published works as well as those from publishers – putting the prize in tune with the changing landscape of British publishing. In 2017 the prize secured two further partnerships with the University of Warwick and the British Council.

The Sunday Times:

The Sunday Times is the UK’s largest circulation quality Sunday newspaper. Renowned for its technological innovation, The Sunday Times is available for download on all platforms and devices including Android, Amazon Kindle and iOS. The Sunday Times has a reputation for award-winning, courageous and campaigning investigative journalism, breaking many major world exclusives. The newspaper offers great value to readers and it is recognised not only for breaking news but for its unrivalled coverage of sports, business, the arts and entertainment.

Peters Fraser + Dunlop:

Peters Fraser + Dunlop is one of the oldest and most established literary and talent agencies in London. We are proud to represent authors, journalists, broadcasters, speakers and estates with specialist expertise in the fields of literature, film, television and radio, public speaking, digital platforms and journalism. We offer our clients the best people to work with and the expertise to develop long-term value in their work across all media while protecting their rights in today’s changing market. Our business is about creativity, enhancement, innovation and service.

The University of Warwick:

The University of Warwick offers a bespoke winner residency, a festival of events, and a year round programme of digital support for the prize. The University of Warwick is consistently ranked in the top 10 universities in the UK and top 100 in the world, with the Warwick Writing Programme ranked No1 in the UK by The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. It is one of the UK’s leading universities, with an acknowledged reputation for excellence in research, teaching and innovation alongside pioneering links with business and industry. It is home to the acclaimed Warwick Writing Programme, the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in Europe, which is currently home to renowned authors such as: Will Eaves, Maureen Freely, Michael Hulse, Gonzalo Ceron Garcia, A.L. Kennedy, Tim Leach, David Morley, Sarah Moss, Jonathan Skinner, and David Vann.

The British Council:

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 65 million people directly and 731 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government.

The Society of Authors:

The Society of Authors is the UK trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators, at all stages of their careers. They have more than 10,000 members and have been advising individuals and speaking out for the profession for more than a century. In 2018, they will award more than £600,000 in prizes and grants (for fiction, non-fiction, poetry and translation). The Society of Authors also administers The Sunday Times / Peters, Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award and the Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Contact:

Tom Frew, Senior Press and Media Relations Manager – University of Warwick:

E: a dot t dot frew at warwick dot ac dot uk
M: +44(0)7785433155