Paul Beatty kicks off new digital hub for emerging and aspiring writers from The Sunday Times / Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award

Anne Enright, Ian Rankin and Nick Hornby among authors to write articles, alongside ‘Top Tips’ and a monthly ‘How To’ series, written this year by AL Kennedy

The Sunday Times Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award, in association with the University of Warwick, is extending its digital offer with high-profile authors and literary experts contributing to an engaging, accessible online hub for emerging and aspiring writers.

Working with its associate sponsor, the University of Warwick – home to the acclaimed Warwick Writing Programme – the prize is using its website, youngwriteraward.com, to build a free-to-all content programme in support of writers at the beginning of their careers, featuring:

• Monthly ‘How To’ guides. These accessible, essay-format pieces will provide writers with a DIY online writing course. The series is written by a different writer each year; in 2018 by the author AL Kennedy, Associate Professor at the University of Warwick.
• Monthly ‘What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Writing’ articles. Well-known writers will think back to when they began and will encourage, stimulate, and surprise with their reminiscences. The series starts with Paul Beatty, Anne Enright, Ian Rankin and Nick Hornby. Paul Beatty’s piece will launch the new programme on Wednesday, 8 August.
• Regular ‘Top Tips’ posts by experts from the growing family of partners that make  up  the  prize, with informed, behind-the-scenes contributions from staff at Peters Fraser + Dunlop, staff and students at the University of Warwick, and journalists from The Sunday Times, well as guest posts from experts from the literary world, such as the British Council, publishers and writers.

Andrew Holgate, Literary Editor of The Sunday Times, said: “Bringing together well-known writers, experts in the field, and a network of partners, together with an exceptional list of alumni – from Max Porter to Sarah Howe, from Zadie Smith to Robert Macfarlane, from Sarah Waters to Naomi Alderman – The Sunday Times / Peters Fraser and Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award, in association with Warwick University, is a unique support and champion for emerging and aspiring writers, providing those starting out with an increasing range of expertise, encouragement, and support.”

Generously sponsored by the literary agency Peters Fraser + Dunlop, the Young Writer of the Year Award, in association with the University of Warwick, rewards the  best  work  of  fiction, non-fiction or poetry by a British or Irish author aged between 18 and 35. Last year, Sally Rooney won the prize for her debut novel Conversations with Friends.

The British Council is the international partner of the prize, opening doors for shortlisted authors abroad and providing opportunities for cross-border collaborations and exposure beyond the UK and Ireland. The University of Warwick is offering a bespoke 10-week residency to the winner.

The 2018 shortlist will be announced on 4 November, the winner revealed with a ceremony at the London Library on 6 December.

To access the new programme, which will start to roll out from Wednesday, 8 August, and the existing archive of expert contributions, please visit: youngwriteraward.com

Keep up to date with the award and join the conversation via: twitter.com/youngwriteryear

For all media enquiries please contact Daniel Kramb and Sophie Goodfellow at FMcM Associates on 0207 405 7422 or, danielk@fmcm.co.uk, sophieg@fmcm.co.uk