‘Full-circle moment’: Candice Carty-Williams joins judging panel as 4thWrite prize opens for entries

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"4thWrite Prize Opens for Entries with Candice Carty-Williams on Judging Panel"

‘Full-circle moment’: Candice Carty-Williams joins judging panel as 4thWrite prize opens for entries analysis cover image The Guardian 8.7
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/02/candice-carty-williams-joins-judging-panel-as-4thwrite-prize-opens-for-entries
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TruthLens AI Summary

The 4thWrite prize, a prestigious short story competition organized by the Guardian and the publisher 4th Estate, has officially opened for entries, inviting unpublished writers of colour residing in the UK and Ireland to participate. Now in its ninth year, the prize offers a significant reward of £1,000, alongside a publishing workshop at 4th Estate and the opportunity for the winning story to be published on the Guardian website. This year’s judging panel is particularly notable as it includes Candice Carty-Williams, who was instrumental in founding the prize while she was a marketing executive at 4th Estate. Carty-Williams, who later gained acclaim for her bestselling novel 'Queenie', expressed her excitement about returning to judge the competition she initiated nearly a decade ago, emphasizing the meaningfulness of this full-circle moment in her career. She looks forward to exploring how literature and narratives have evolved over the past nine years to reflect contemporary societal themes and issues.

Joining Carty-Williams on the judging panel are notable figures such as poet Caleb Femi, literary agent Monica MacSwan, athlete Jazmin Sawyers, 4th Estate publishing director Kishani Widyaratna, and Guardian books commissioning editor Lucy Knight. The diverse panel underscores the importance of the prize in providing a platform for emerging voices in contemporary fiction. MacSwan highlighted the growing necessity of such literary awards, especially in light of the shifting landscape of social media and publishing avenues. The competition is open for submissions of short stories up to 6,000 words until June 8, with key dates including a longlist announcement on August 10, a shortlist on September 30, and the winner to be revealed at a ceremony in London in October. Last year’s winner, Yan F Zhang, received the award for her story 'Fleeting Marrow', which draws on historical events surrounding the deportation of Chinese seafarers from the UK after World War II. This prize continues to shine a light on the wealth of talent among writers of colour, offering them essential recognition and support in their literary careers.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The recent announcement regarding the 4thWrite prize highlights the growing recognition and support for unpublished writers of color in the UK and Ireland. This initiative, which Candice Carty-Williams co-founded, signifies an important step in promoting diversity within the literary community.

Promotion of Diversity in Literature

The article emphasizes the necessity of providing platforms for marginalized voices, particularly in literature. By opening the competition to unpublished writers of color, the organizers aim to challenge the traditional narratives often prevalent in the literary world. Carty-Williams’ involvement as a judge further underscores her commitment to uplifting new talent, showcasing the evolution of storytelling over the past decade.

Impact on Emerging Writers

The prize not only offers financial support but also provides critical resources like a publishing workshop and exposure through the Guardian’s platform. This could significantly impact the careers of new writers, as evidenced by previous winners who have gone on to achieve notable success. The emphasis on the need for such initiatives, especially in light of changes in social media platforms and zines, suggests a changing landscape for writers seeking visibility.

Community Engagement

The article hints at a broader community engagement by including diverse panel members from various backgrounds, including literature and sports. This diversity in the judging panel may foster a richer understanding of the narratives presented and ensure that multiple perspectives are considered. This approach may resonate particularly with communities that have felt underrepresented in mainstream publishing.

Cultural Relevance

The timing of this announcement aligns with a global conversation about equity and representation across various sectors, including literature. By prioritizing the voices of writers of color, the prize reflects current societal movements that advocate for inclusivity.

Potential Economic and Social Implications

While the article does not directly address economic factors, the cultivation of new literary voices can have broader implications for the publishing industry, potentially leading to increased sales and readership in diverse demographics. The focus on diversity may also attract sponsors or partnerships with organizations advocating for social equity.

Manipulative Elements

Analyzing the language used, the article aims to inspire hope and excitement around the prize, which could be seen as a manipulative tactic to generate interest. However, this approach seems justified given the positive outcomes associated with the prize in the past.

The overall credibility of this announcement appears high, as it is backed by the Guardian, a reputable publication. The focus on supporting underrepresented writers aligns with ongoing discussions about diversity and inclusion in various sectors, making the article relevant and timely.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/02/candice-carty-williams-joins-judging-panel-as-4thwrite-prize-opens-for-entries

A short story competition run by the Guardian and the publisher 4th Estate is now open to entries from unpublished writers of colour living in the UK and Ireland.

The 4thWrite prize, now in its ninth year, offers its winner £1,000, a publishing workshop at 4th Estate and publication of the winning story on the Guardian website.

This year’s judging panel featuresCandice Carty-Williams, who founded the prize while working as a marketing executive at 4th Estate before going on to publish her bestselling novel Queenie.

“Returning to 4th Estate to judge the prize I started nearly a decade ago will most likely be the most meaningful full-circle moment of my career,” she said. “I cannot wait to see and discuss with my fellow judges how writing and stories have changed in the last nine years to reflect the world we’re in now. I am both honoured and excited to get into it.”

Joining Carty-Williams on the judging panel is the poet Caleb Femi, associate literary agent Monica MacSwan, athlete Jazmin Sawyers, 4th Estate publishing director Kishani Widyaratna and Guardian books commissioning editor Lucy Knight.

“It’s always a joy to dive into work that challenges, moves and surprises you – and I can’t wait to discover what this year’s prize has in store,” said Femi.

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MacSwan said: “With the move away from Twitter and zines closing down, prizes are more necessary than ever for new writers of colour to make their voices heard.”

The prize “has launched the careers of some of contemporary fiction’s brightest talents”, she added. Writers previously recognised through the award include Bolu Babalola, the author of Love in Colour and Honey & Spice, and Guy Gunaratne, who wrote In Our Mad and Furious City and Mister, Mister.

The prize “offers a vital and important platform for emerging writers of colour across the UK and shines brilliant light on the wealth of talent out there”, said Widyaratna.

The competition is open for story submissions of up to 6,000 words until 8 June. Writers aged 18 and over can submit entries via the4th Estate website. A longlist will be announced by 10 August and the shortlist by 30 September, with the winner revealed in October at a London ceremony.

Last year’s prize was won byYan F Zhang for her story Fleeting Marrow, which is based on the real-life deportation of Chinese seafarers from the UK after the second world war.

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Source: The Guardian