A GLASGOW-based freelance print journalist has topped her participation in a creative writing course by winning an annual writing competition and with it a prize of £1,500.
Maggie Mallon, who graduated with distinction in November from Glasgow University’s Creative Writing course, has won The Curtis Brown Glasgow Prize for Fiction 2012.
This award is presented annually to the best fiction writer from across the university’s entire Creative Writing Programme.
Mallon told allmediascotland.com: “I am very happy to win this award after a hugely enjoyable experience on the Creative Writing course at the university.”
She is now hoping her first novel – provisionally titled ‘Dreams Carved in Stone’ – will find a publisher. The book is a fictional biography about the sculptor, Camille Claudel.
She added: “Juggling work, family commitments – including looking after our son who’s five now – and trying to find time to write my book while completing the course has proved hectic but rewarding and stimulating.
“Winning this award has come as a complete surprise, but I’m pleased and proud at the same time.”
Maggie is commissioned regularly for news stories and features by the Daily Record, Scottish Daily Mail, The Herald, The Times and The Mail on Sunday.
Added Mallon: “Writing the book was a joy as I’ve had the idea for it for a long time. I’ve now started a second novel and I’m hoping to complete it by the summer.”
Curtis Brown is one of Europe’s oldest and largest independent literary and talent agencies representing many of the world’s most popular and successful authors, screenwriters, directors, actors, playwrights and celebrities.
The company has a strong connection with the university’s Edwin Morgan Centre for Creative Writing.
