Rawtenstall teacher in running for literary award (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rawtenstall teacher in running for literary award

11:53am Thursday 29th September 2011 in Rossendale By Vanessa Cornall, Reporter

A RAWTENSTALL teacher has been shortlisted for a prestigious literary award.

Georgina Kirby, a Year One teacher at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Haslingden Old Road, has been shortlisted for a national 2011 Brit Writers Award un-published.

The mother-of-two’s picture book ‘Once upon a princess a hairy beard did grow’ has been selected in the children’s category.

Mrs Kirby said: “It’s a great privilege to be shortlisted and I am very excited people like my work. Up until now, writing has been a private hobby of mine.

“Working in a school, I have been able to find lots of inspiration, often using some of the most silliest ideas. Writing has always been my way of getting away from the more serious pressures of school and work.”

The primary school teacher who has been at St Mary’s for 14 years will find out if she wins her category on October 7, at a glittering award ceremony in London. All the category winners will then be judged again to find an overall winner, who will win £10,000.

Mrs Kirby, 37, of Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall has previously only had one short story published in an anthology before entering this competition.

She said: “Even though I am shy about my work, I have visited a number of the local primary schools in my area to give readings.

I don’t think I have a chance of winning overall but I am really excited about attending the ceremony and meeting lots of other unpublished writers.

“This competition has definitely given me more confidence in my ability as a writer.”

The annual awards designed to discover promising new talent, are run by Brit Writers Award unpublished in partnership with a host of publishers including Penguin Books, literary agents and producers.