Elgin mature student Gary Groves scoops UHI's inaugural Peter May Fiction Prize
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AN ELGIN mature student has clinched a new writing prize launched by the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Gary Groves (43) has been awarded £1000, as the first UHI Peter May Fiction Prize recipient, for his short story about three researchers trapped in a sea of insects who quickly succumb to the inevitably of their fate.
His story, "Monads", was selected from a shortlist of five.
International best-selling crime writer, Scottish TV screenwriter and novelist Peter May donated the prize pot as part of the university's 10th birthday. The donation will provide student prizes for fictional writing over the next decade.
Gary, a BA (Hons) creative writing student in the Highlands and Islands, said: "Receiving this prize has been a major confidence boost and it's been a real journey to get to this point.
"I have so much gratitude for the people who make the course what it is, both lecturers and students, and Peter who has done an amazing thing in founding this new prize to support the development of creative writing at UHI.
"When I started the course in 2018, I didn't know what to expect. I was a mature student returning to studying and was worried that I would be the odd one out in the class.
"Although I had written a number of short stories in the past, I had never actually shown them to anyone and was hesitant to let other people read what I had written.
"I'm in my third year now and I am already thinking about continuing to postgraduate studies."
Peter was delighted with the quality of shortlisted submissions.
He said: "I want to praise all those who entered and encourage everyone to keep writing.
"Gary's work stood out. He draws us into the frightening, claustrophobic world of the research pod in this strange and compelling story.
"He vividly delivers a metaphor of acceptance and surrender to age, with its accompanying deterioration of the mind.
"I look forward to reading what comes next."
The annual competition, co-ordinated by the university's development and alumni team, is open to all further and higher education students at the university and 2022 graduates. Submissions are welcomed in Gaelic, Scots or English by October 14, 2022.
For more details on the entry process click here.
