University of Manchester student lands LGBT book prize longlist

By Helen Le Caplain

A University of Manchester student is celebrating after being included on the longlist of a new LGBT literature competition.

Poet Max Wallis, a masters student at the Centre for New Writing, was chosen by the Polari First Book Prize judges for his book collection Modern Love.

His submission examines love in the modern age, including affairs carried out on social media.

Paul Burston, Chair of the judges, said: "This is a strong long list which reflects the diversity of LGBT literary voices and the variety of ways in which authors make their voices heard.

“The judges would like to thank Linda Riley of Square Peg Media for her generous support in celebrating the inventiveness, distinctiveness and excellence of the very best of queer writing."

The prize rewards exceptional first works – including poetry, non-fiction and fiction – about the LGBT experience.

The list includes three self-published works, alongside others from established publishers.

Despite all being grounded in LGBT experience, the nominations cover a vast range of tones, topics and stories.

The shortlist will be announced in September and the winner will be crowned at the Polari 5th Birthday on November 26.

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