Last call for students to enter new Jo Powell Memorial Writing Competition

Students have one last chance to enter their creative work in the first ever Jo Powell Memorial Writing Competition organised by Edge Hill University.

Worth £1,000, the prize commemorates and celebrates the life of crime writer Jo Powell, whose first novel, The Drop Room, was written as part of her doctoral study at Edge Hill.

She was also a well-loved and highly regarded lecturer, who was a creative writing tutor at Edge Hill when she died of a brain haemorrhage in May 2011.  Jo's prize-winning second novel, Shadows Fall, was published posthumously by UCLAN publishing.

Prize co-ordinator Dr Ailsa Cox, Reader in Creative Writing and English at Edge Hill University, said: "Jo was such an inspiration to us all. She packed so much into her life; she had worked as a journalist and a barrister, before she came to writing, and had also raised three children.   Thanks to the generosity of her friends and family the encouragement she gave to students is still felt beyond her death."

Students are asked to submit a complete 3,000 word crime story. It can be written in any style and from any point of view, including that of a criminal, detective or a victim.

The judging panel includes Cath Staincliffe, author of the acclaimed Sal Kilkenny mysteries and scriptwriter for ITV's hit police series Blue Murder. Joining her will be Gill Davies, former Head of English and Associate Dean at Edge Hill University until her retirement. She was also Jo Powell's PhD supervisor.

To be eligible, students must be on a full degree course as a UK university leading to a named award in writing/creative writing comprising at least 25% writing. It's a £5 entry fee and the deadline for submissions is 2^nd March. Hard copies, with a covering letter should be sent to: Creative Crime Competition, Corporate Communications, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk L39 4QP.