I recently had a chat with Lindsey Fraser – my Literary
Agent – about a creative writing initiative for young people with which she’s
involved, The Young Walter Scott Prize,
and I thought readers of the History Girls – particularly any teachers out
there – really should hear about it .
It’s a terrific opportunity for young writers aged between 11 and 19 to take
their inspiration from history, with the chance of winning a
£500 travel grant and attending the Borders Book Festival next June. So here’s
Lindsey, to tell you all about it.
What’s the background
to YWSP?
It was devised in response to the success of The Walter
Scott Prize – an award for historical fiction which boasts such writers as
Hilary Mantel, Sebastian Faulkes, Andrea Levy and Tan Twan Eng among its
winners. The Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch – the driving force behind that
award – were keen to find a way of supporting young unpublished writers under
the Walter Scott banner and the idea of YWSP emerged. The guidelines are simple
– use the past as the inspiration for your writing. And the resulting entries
have been fascinating. Welsh settlers in Patagonia in the 19th
Century, Cornish smugglers, missionaries in China, 11th Century
Constantinople, America in the 1950s, the Great Fire of London – history
provides such rich pickings for young writers and although there are obvious
favourites, I’m so impressed by the variety.
YWSP has run workshops in the summer that take place in historical settings - this one is at Holkham. |
Surely you are inundated with manuscripts – you’re a literary agent! Why look for more work?
True… but as so many of our clients write for young people,
I’m always interested in what young people write for themselves. And we’re
often approached by young writers keen to find places to submit their work. We’ve
been involved with the Pushkin Prizes – a creative writing initiative for young
people in Scotland – for over 20 years; it keeps us in touch with young writers
and readers, which is very important when you’re involved in the business of
making books for them.
And I love historical fiction. I’ve long been irritated by
rumours that historical fiction for young people is unpopular and our post bag
around the end of October proves that there is huge interest in the past, and
that these young writers will delve into some extraordinary corners to find the
right settings and characters. Reading and writing go hand in hand. Historical
fiction seems particularly appropriate for this age-group – young people
looking out from their own familiar worlds, examining the past, seeking
information from what happened there. Curiosity is a great driver.
Exploring Castle Urquhart |
What are the prizes?
The winner in each age category – 11-15 and 16-19 – receives
a travel grant of £500. And they’re invited to the Borders Book Festival where
the Walter Scott Prize is announced. The organisers are very keen to emphasise
the importance of YWSP and our most recent winner, Leonard Belderson from
Norwich, found himself being presented with his prize by Sebastian Barry, then
meeting Ben Myers and all the authors shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize.
It’s heady stuff!
Runners up receive a book token – we’re obviously keen for
reading to be involved! – and the Prizes publish an anthology of the winning
pieces every year. So several young writers see their work in print, which is a
big thrill – as any grown-up writer knows.
At the prize-giving – Leonard Belderson and Darcie Izatt |
And the key dates?
All entries must be in by the end of October – information
and the entry form are on the website - www.walterscottprize.co.uk
How can History Girls
writers help?
Many writers already help to spread the word, on their
website or on social media, taking our leaflets into schools their visiting –
that kind of signposting has been very helpful. This will be YWSP’s fourth
year, and we’re hoping for another bumper entry. So do encourage young writers –
your readers - to enter. I’m always happy to provide further information.
Website – www.walterscottprize.co.uk
Facebook – Walter Scott Prize
Instagram – Walter Scott Prize
Twitter @waltscottprize
Thank you both for these interesting and useful details about this prize.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea. And imagine getting to meet Sebastian Barry!
ReplyDeleteAn excellent initiative! Thanks, Sue and Lindsey!
ReplyDeleteShared! Great idea, btw.
ReplyDelete