On 1 July 2005 acclaimed Scottish author, Christopher Brookmyre, is to receive the University of Glasgow Young Alumnus of the Year Award. The annual award, which aims to celebrate the achievements of alumni who have made a major contribution to the community, arts, sciences or business, is an affirmation of Christopher's success and popularity in the fields of literature and journalism.

Since graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1989 with an MA in English Literature and Theatre Studies, Christopher Brookmyre has become one of Scotland's most celebrated young writers. An accomplished journalist and popular and prolific novelist, Christopher is one of the most exciting and original fictional voices to have emerged in recent years.

Christopher explains: ' I am delighted to receive this award and honoured that I was nominated by Professor Willy Maley who is a well known supporter of Scottish creative writing. I felt greatly privileged to study at Glasgow University, a privilege I always endeavoured to make the most of while it lasted, though admittedly it was the less salubrious aspects of my student days that ended up lovingly recreated in my writing.

His extensive career in journalism has led Christopher to Edinburgh, London and Los Angeles writing for The Edinburgh Evening News, The Scotsman, Screen International and The Absolute Game. However, his most acclaimed achievement is the publication of his first novel Quite Ugly One Morning in 1996, which went on to win the Critics' First Blood award for the best first crime novel of the year. Other accolades include winning the 2000 Sherlock Award for Best Comic Detective for his novel Boiling a Frog.

The Young Alumnus of the Year competition was first introduced in 2001, as part of the University's 550th anniversary celebrations. The trophy, which was kindly donated by the Old Boys of Allan Glen's School, is presented to the winning candidate during a summer graduation ceremony.

The future holds equal promise for Christopher with the recent adaptation of his debut novel starring eminent actor James Nesbitt as Jack Parlabane, and the touring production of Boiling a Frog by the 7:84 Theatre Company in spring.

For more information on Christopher see www.brookmyre.co.uk

Making a Nomination

We're now looking for nominations for 2006. The only restriction on nominations is that candidates should have graduated no more than 15 years ago. If you think that you, or someone you know, fits the bill, simply send your nomination to the Development & Alumni Office. All nominations should include a short written submission detailing the reasons you think that your chosen alumnus/a should win the cup. Feel free to send in additional supporting information: newspaper cuttings or a CV would be great.

Kate Richardson (K.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

For further information please contact Emily Wallace, Development and Alumni Office, on 0141 330 2668 or email e.wallace@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 27 June 2005