A student and graduate of the university’s Creative Writing course have reached the finals of two major literary competitions.

Current University of Glasgow student Kenneth Pratt is one of eight finalists in the professional category of the Guardian’s International Development Journalism Competition. As a finalist Ken will be allocated a theme and country in Africa or Asia to visit and write about for his final entry piece.

He said: “I’m really excited to have been selected as a finalist. The piece I submitted to the competition, on the Child Killers of the Congo, was inspired by my PhD work on the University’s Creative Writing course so it is a privilege to be invited to simultaneously produce journalistic material and enhance the creative and academic aspects of my work to date.”

Graduate of the University’s Creative Writing Course Jen Hadfield has been shortlisted for the prestigious Forward Poetry Prize for her collection of poems Nigh-No-Place. The award, the UK’s most valuable annual poetry competition, is designed to extend the audience of contemporary poetry. The winner will receive £10,000.

Jen said: "I'm really looking forward to reading the other shortlisted books. There's some ferocious reputations and fine writers there...and I'm grateful to be shortlisted because although Nigh-No-Place was an exceptionally uncomfortable book to write, it's still very close to my heart."

The winner of the Guardian Journalism Award will be announced in November and the winner of the Forward Prize for Poetry will be announced in October.

Kenneth’s article can be read at http://www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition/child.killers.eastern.congo

Further information on Jen’s poetry collection can be found at http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852247932

Notes to editors

For more information please contact Kate Richardson in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

More information on the Guardian International Development Journalism Award can be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition/finalists

More information on the Forward Poetry Prize can be found at http://www.forwardartsfoundation.org/poetry.htm

First published: 8 August 2008

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