Wigtown Festival Company today launched the 2026 Anne Brown Essay Prize for the best literary essay by a writer in, or from, Scotland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The annual \u00a31,500 prize has become renowned for its support and encouragement of engaging, high-quality writing tackling a multitude of issues and topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isla Rosser-Owen, Wigtown Festival Company CEO, said:<\/strong> \u201cThe Anne Brown Essay Prize has been a catalyst for superb writers and compelling writing \u2013 re-emphasising the power of essays to explore issues, make arguments and to introduce readers to worlds, ideas and arguments way beyond their own experience.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe award also upholds Scotland\u2019s centuries-old tradition as a place that generates excellent essayists with the capacity to change people\u2019s views and perceptions with their words.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe would urge both established and new essayists to enter for this year\u2019s prize and look forward to reading the entries in the expectation that they will be full of delights, surprises and challenges.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2025 prize was won by Tamara Fulcher, for Firle,<\/em> which examines life for those unable to escape an endless round of homelessness and sub-standard housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tamara urged writers to enter the competition saying:<\/strong> \u201cShort-form writing allows people like me, who don’t earn a wage through authorship, to keep time with their creativity amidst the pressures of work and home. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWinning the 2025 Anne Brown Essay Prize was an incredible privilege for the platform it gave me as an amateur writer, made even more meaningful by the fact I live in southwest Scotland and Wigtown Book Festival has a special place in my heart. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEven more than this, it was a joy to feel unforced confidence in my work! I am already excited for this year\u2019s entries and the uplift their authors will feel, in sharing what matters deeply and through being part of such a prestigious celebration of the essay form.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the cash, the winner receives a trophy designed by artist Astrid Jaekel, and their entire essay is published on the festival website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Entry numbers have grown each year along with variety of subjects tackled by writers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Past winners are Sarah Whiteside for\u00a0Thin Slices<\/em>, an inspirational exploration of autism, Rodge Glass for\u00a0On the Covenant<\/em>, addressing his relationship with his Jewish family, and Dani Garavelli for\u00a0The Bequest<\/em>, which explored her Italian-Scottish heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2026 winner will be revealed at a special event during the festival, which runs from 25 September to 4 October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See www.wigtownbookfestival.com<\/a> for full details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n -Ends-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Notes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n About Anne Brown <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Anne had an accomplished career and spent most of her working life as a broadcast journalist with the BBC, starting in the London newsroom, moving to current affairs in Newcastle and in the mid-80s she joined BBC Radio Scotland, working as a reporter, presenter and producer in Dumfries, Selkirk, Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland, as well as Edinburgh and Glasgow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She wrote and produced many documentaries, produced Newsweek Scotland <\/em>and Good Morning Scotland<\/em>, and presented a regular series of programmes for the World Service. She was commissioned by Canongate to write a book about the alleged child abuse scandals in Orkney in 1991. <\/p>\n\n\n\n About EventScotland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events by securing and supporting an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events. It provides funding opportunities and access to resources and information to develop the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland\u2019s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation, alongside Business Events and Development teams. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.eventscotland.org<\/a> or follow Twitter @EventScotNews<\/a> and follow us on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n About Creative Scotland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. It enables people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. Creative Scotland distributes funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com\/CreativeScotland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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