EMBA 2010 Winner mark Goodwin
Mark Goodwin, from Leicestershire, was the first winner of the East Midlands Book Award, presented last night at Lowdham Book Festival by BBC radio presenter Ian McMillan. Mark was given a cheque for £1000 plus an engraved trophy. His book, Shod, published by Nine Arches, was the unanimous choice of the judges – Ian McMillan, recently retired Derbyshire Chief Librarian Jaci Brumwell and John Holmes from BBC Radio Nottingham.
After the award Mark said “I’m delighted to receive this award, particularly because it highlights poetry in the East Midlands, an area rich in poets”. Mark’s book was one of two poetry books on the shortlist, all of the others being novels.
Speaking on behalf of the Award trustees, Ross Bradshaw, joint organiser of the Lowdham Book Festival said: “There is no doubt Shod was a surprise winner, coming from one of the smallest publishers among the original 46 entries from writers across the East Midlands. That made for an exciting moment. Any one of the shortlisted books would have made a worthy winner and this is a great springboard to take the Award forward. Mark Goodwin has been active in the poetry scene for many years and we are very pleased for him.”
The aim of the award is to raise the profile of published writers living in the East Midlands, writing on any theme, in any setting.
The Trustees have secured private funding to run the East Midlands Book Award for ten years. Nominations for books published this year are already open, with the Rutland composer Gavin Bryars heading the judging team. For further information see www.writingeastmidlands.co.uk/awards.
The East Midlands Book Award is administered by Writing East Midlands.
The full shortlist for this year’s award comprised:
Maria Allen (Leicestershire): Before the Earthquake, published by Tindal Street Press
Judith Allnatt (Northamptonshire): The Poet’s Wife, published by Transworld
Stephen Baker (Derbyshire): Hemispheres, published by Atlantic
Ann Featherstone (Derbyshire): The Newgate Jig, published by John Murray
Rosie Garner (Nottinghamshire): The Rain Diaries, published by Salt
Mark Goodwin (Leicestershire): Shod, published by Nine Arches
Adrian Magson (Northamptonshire): Death on the Marais, published by Allison & Busby
Anne Zouroudi (Derbyshire): The Lady of Sorrows, published by Bloomsbury
