The Aesthetica Creative Writing Awardis a celebration of innovative new writing from across the globe. Each year, the competition invites submissions of poetry and short fiction that redefine the parameters of form, concept and technique. The works included in this anthology, comprising winning and shortlisted entries, take the temperature of literature today. In poetry, the lines are blurred between the social and political, including immersive invocations of place and dazzling ekphrasis. In fiction, small moments of wonder are brought into focus, blending humour, rigour, shock and awe.
The winners have been announced for the 2022 award, including one winner in poetry and one in short fiction,each receiving £2,500prize money plusliterary consultations withRedhammer Management, as well as subscriptions and prizes fromBloodaxe, Vintage, GrantaԻThe Poetry Society. The jury for this year included representatives fromHodder & Stoughton,Litro MagazineandJacaranda Books,and independent authors, editors and poets who have written or edited for the likes ofThe Guardian, The Rialtoand more.
The Poetry winner is Dean Gessie, whose piece[sic]stemicimpressed the judges for its use of repetition in order to punctuate, pause and push forward its central argument.Oz Hardwick, Chair of the Poetry jury, notes: “A handful of poems were in the running for this year’s award, but after much discussion we agreed on [sic]stemic. From its memorable opening line to its startlingly humane close, it manages to keep anger and wit in the air simultaneously, right from its almost-too-clever title.”An excerpt of the piece can be read below:
I take my black skin out for a walk
I dress it in all-weather livery
I collar and muzzle and leash
I bid my black skin do tricks for passers-by:
I command my black skin to beg and roll over
and to bark silently and crawl
I train my black skin to play dead at the end
of finger pistols or threat of the cage
The Short Fiction winner, Baņuta Rubess,takes the prize forFlotsam.Karen Tobias-Green, Chair of the Fiction jury, commented: “Our winner, the wonderfulFlotsam, uses a betrayed mother’s internal monologue to show us the conflict at the heart of realising the one you love is not the one you can trust. All of these stories are powerful, engaging and ultimately entertaining; they hold your attention and take you somewhere new. They ask that you stay with them, and even when they don’t give you what you expected (wanted? Don’t we all have an ending in mind for a story we are reading? Aren’t we all a little non-plussed not to get it?) they still delight. In this year when uncertainty reins,Flotsamresonates.”An excerpt of the piece can be read below:
“Yes,Iknow,”HemasaidinherspecialHemavoice, “butthepatientsdon’twantyourfingersintheir mouths anymore.” When I asked to talk to Dr. Mardone, she said, “Just be glad you’regettingtwo monthsnotice.”
Whatmyhusbandhastodowithdentalhygienesomeonepleaseexplain tome.
NoLongerSpeakingTo
- Margobecauseshewouldn’tletHollycomeforherplaydateasifwewerecontaminated.
- HenriettawhoshouldhaverushedtomysideԻifnotyouwhocanItrust
- Stella because you could at least text the person who organized your daughter’s birthdaypartywhenyou weresick
- Gretchen who talked to the reporters and saidoh yeah for surewhen she knows nothing,Իsang atour wedding
(amIsupposedtooverdoseor)
The Aldermans. The Chows. Every single shit in Pilates. My husband is not a predator,Իit’snotmy fault.
“Mommy,” Holly called from her room. I crawled under the bed with her and CuriousGeorge.“Agnessaw Daddy on TV.”
“Itwillblowover,”Isaid.“What?”
“Nothing.Don’tbescared,honey,wantsomeicecream?”Weeachhadtwobowls.
Maplewalnut.
By the time he came home that night, she was asleep. I steamed the mussels the way helikes them,shells spreadwide. HelookedsogratefulIthoughtlordputhimoutofhis miseryԻlethimeat. Then I putdown my forkand asked,“I’masking you again.”
“Yoursenseoftiming,”hesighed.“Bad.Lovethemusselsthough.”
Did he do it? That question never leaves. I squeeze it on my toothbrush. It’s on the knifethat spreads the peanut butter, the key that starts the car. Rocking down the aisle of thesupermarket,Ifearthe answer;ineveryparkinglot,whensomeonecomes towards me,Ithink–‘this is it, now it’s here, that stranger wants to tell me about Ted’ — and then they pass me,avertingtheireyes.
A further 58 writers have been shortlisted, comprising 60 writers which are published in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual 2022. Shortlisted writers include the Costa Book Award-winningIngrid Persaud,Poetry London Assistant Editor and Obsidian Foundation FellowIsabelle Baafi,Melita Hume-shortlisteeMariah Whelan,Rialto Open Pamphlet Competition-winnerAnita PatiԻFenland Poetry Journal editorElisabeth Sennitt Clough, amongst others.
Find out more about the .
Entries are open for the next Award.
Credits:
1. Massimo Colonna, Isolation.
2. Six n. Five, Europe.
3. Massimo Colonna, Gravity.
