I am so pleased to be able to announce that I was awarded a Northern Writers Award earlier this week. After applying for more than a few years, being shortlisted and being unsuccessful, this has come at just the right time.
I won the Finchale Prize for a single short story for my piece ‘Shepherd’, which is part of my first short story collection (still in progress!). The prize was established by the brilliant Ben Myers, and judged by Adelle Stripe and Zaffar Kunial. I’m still overwhelmed by the comments and can hardly believe that my story stood out enough to be selected.
It’s hard to put into words what this award means. I’ve spent the last few years trying to rebuild my freelance career after it fell apart in the first lockdown. This has meant much of my time has focused on income and on supporting writers across the North to develop their own work and practice. And I have loved doing this. But it’s come at a cost for my own work. Striking a balance between creative work and paid work is always difficult, and there’s no easy way to manage things.
What this award has done is reminded me that I am, first and foremost, a writer. And that I need to give my own work more attention. Writing isn’t just about winning or being published. It’s about space and time to create and to disappear into our own thoughts and ideas. Winning this award means I am finally ready to balance the scales and make my own work my priority.
Going forward, I’ll be focusing on my short story collection and getting my winning story published. Alongside this, I’ll continue work on my full-length play and my work as an associate lecturer, facilitator and mentor. All with an eye on making sure I put my own work at the top of the to-do list.
The main thing I’ll take away from this is to never give up. To take praise and compliments and let them fuel me to drive myself and my work forward. And to not be ashamed of shouting about success. Because when it comes, it is so well earned.
Sarah x
Congratulations!
Congratualtions, Sarah!