It’s official! The 2016 CFLA showcase location is London’s iconic Southbank Centre.
We’re extremely excited to announce that this year’s Creative Future Literary Awards Showcase will take place on Thursday 8 September at London’s Southbank Centre as part of Unlimited Festival.
Our annual event showcases a diverse range of talented writers from around the UK. Each of our twelve finalists will read their award-winning contributions alongside readings from our critically acclaimed guest author Michelle Green and best-selling poet and playwright Lemn Sissay, who will host the event.
‘We’re extremely pleased that this year’s showcase has been included in the programme for this year’s Unlimited Festival‘ says CFLA Project Manager Fergus Evans. ‘The Festival, which celebrates the artistic vision and originality of disabled artists, is a perfect fit with our ambitions – to highlight the skills of talented marginalised writers from around the country. The fact that the event will take place in such an iconic building will give the Showcase a real sense of occasion and prestige, which is exactly what our writers deserve .’
The showcase will also be the first time this year’s award winners will be announced. The twelve finalists have been chosen from over 160 entries from around the country and were selected by a panel of industry experts including Creative Future’s patron Lemn Sissay and Candida Lacey, Managing Editor of the award-winning independent publisher Myriad Editions. Each of the finalists will receive cash prizes as well as year’s worth of professional and artistic development support, including mentorships with well-known authors and manuscript assessments from professional editors. Previous award winners have gone on to be interviewed on radio and television, get commissions from prestigious arts organisations, and have their work published in well-regarded journals and anthologies.
‘Being part of the 2015 CFLAs definitely has had an impact on my writing practice and my career. It gave me the spark to carry on,’ says previous award winner Tina Freeth, who had never previously entered a literary competition and had taken a long break from writing. ‘Winning the award gave me confidence again to see myself as a writer.’ Since winning a Creative Future Literary Award Freeth was accepted onto Megaphone, a development scheme for BAME authors writing for children and teenagers, and was invited to speak at the National Writers Conference. She’s also been invited to teach creative writing through Writing West Midlands. ‘[Winning a Creative Future Literary Award] has certainly helped to make this all possible.’
To book your ticket for the 2016 Creative Future Literary Awards Showcase, please visit http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/2016-creative-future-literary-98540. More information about the event (including information about accessibility) can be found here. PLEASE NOTE Tickets are free but must be booked in advance.
