We are very pleased to announce the winners of our inaugural essay competition:

First Place: “On Writing Ethnic Stories” by Haleh Agar

Second Place: “The Fire This Time” by Max Dunbar

Third Place: “The School of IKEA” by Peter Slater

Our judges, Nikita Lalwani and Laurel Forster, were struck by the breadth of subjects tackled in these essays, some based in cultural or social issues, and others discussing readers and writers of the literary world. The standard was high, making the choice a difficult one. The shortlisted entries all demonstrate a level of ambition in topic or approach. The winning entry is brimming with wit and irreverence, whilst still being full of resonance for a contemporary audience. The runners up show perception and acuity and yet are accessible and fluent in expression. All the essays were a pleasure to read.

All three of the above will be published in the February/March 2018 issue of the magazine.

 

 Shortlist

“Japanese Bookshop Buzz” by Susan Burton

“The Coleridge Makeover” by Will Stone

“Joan Didion in Honolulu (and Other Ways to Cheat Death Through the Power of Reading and Time Travel)” by Kira McPherson

“On Writing Ethnic Stories” by Haleh Agar

“The School of IKEA” by Peter Slater

“The Fire This Time” by Max Dunbar