The prize is named in honour of popular Manchester-based writer and critic Dave Murray
QuietManDave Prize 2024 shortlist revealed
5 December 2024
Prize celebrating new and emerging writers honours much loved Manchester critic
The shortlist for the QuietManDave Prize 2024, a short-form writing competition honouring much-loved Manchester critic Dave Murray, has been announced.
Run by Manchester Met’s Manchester Writing School and Manchester School of Theatre, the QuietManDave Prize is named in honour of Murray, a popular Manchester-based writer and critic who loved to experience new places, art and events and write about them.
This year’s prize received more than 900 entries and the judging panel selected a shortlist featuring six entries in both the Flash Fiction and Flash Non-Fiction categories.
Murray was a keen theatre critic, performed poetry and loved flash fiction. He entertained and informed many through his QuietManDave blog and the prize was developed in recognition of his achievements and passion for writing, something which he embraced later in life.
Running every two years, the prize celebrates new and emerging short-form writers, and awards a top prize of £1,000 for both categories, plus runner up prizes.
The shortlist was selected by a panel of judges chaired by Michael Pinchbeck, Professor of Theatre at Manchester Met, alongside Catherine Love, Lecturer in Theatre at the University of York, playwright Mufaro Makubika, and writer and journalist Joe Shute.
Prof Pinchbeck said: “It was a pleasure to chair the judging panel for the QuietManDave prize. We received a staggering number of entries – over 900 – and were incredibly impressed by the range of ways in which writers challenged the form in both categories.
“The shortlisted entries took risks, painted pictures, told unsettling stories, and surprised us. The winning entries impressed the judges with their original responses to the call and we can’t wait to share them at the ceremony. I would like to thank the three judges for their contribution to the process.”
The prize was initiated and funded by Murray’s family, including his wife Vanda Murray OBE, who is senior non-executive director with several organisations and former chair of Manchester Met’s Board of Governors.
Vanda Murray said: “We, Dave’s family, are so pleased to see how well the prize is working to encourage new writers. The quality of entries has been extraordinary from the inception of the prize.
“We know just how much this would have meant to him. Dave wanted to encourage new writing and the prize is creating a brand new generation of writers. Thank you to everyone for getting behind it and making it a success.”
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted at Manchester Met’s Manchester Poetry Library on December 13. The event will celebrate the shortlisted entrants, with performances of the top three pieces in each category, and honour Murray’s memory and achievements.
All shortlisted pieces and profiles of the finalists can be read in full for the Flash Fiction and Flash Non-Fiction categories. Find the longlisted entrants on the QuietManDave Prize website.
