The Philip Pyke Memorial Prize is a new annual award for poetry and prose. It is open to all First Story Alumni aged 18 and over, who have previously taken part in one of our programmes.
The Prize, launched in 2024, is given in memory of the writer Philip Pyke and aims to support young writers as they continue their writing journey.
We’re really excited to launch a great new opportunity for First Story alumni, with huge thanks to Sharanne Basham-Pyke and the Arvon Foundation. Its a great opportunity to celebrate young writers work and give them a chance to further develop their skills. We’re proud so many people who have taken part in First Story Young Writers programme want to keep on writing.
Antonia Byatt, First Story CEO
Philip would be honoured, whilst intensely embarrassed, that there is a Memorial Prize in his name. Although a big physical presence, he was a quiet, gentle man. He was amazingly talented but lacked confidence in his ability, so he never thought any of his writing was good enough to publish. If First Story had been around when he had been in school, I strongly believe he would have had a different outlook. We published a book of his poetry after his death because we, as a family, think it should be out there. All profits go to First Story.
Sharanne Basham-Pyke, Philip’s wife
Philip Pyke Memorial Prize 2024
The winners of the inaugural Philip Pyke Memorial Prize were announced on Wednesday 5 June 2024.
First Prize to Emily Freeman for her poem ‘Our Lover’s Discourse’.
Second Prize to Omara Campbell for her poem ‘Beyond the Cover’.
Third Prize to Lily Ritchie for her poem ‘Thunder Thighs’.
Highly Commended to Priya Gill for her poem ‘Chosen Ones’.
Read more information on our winners and quotes from the judges, on the news page.
Rules of the Prize
Entrants must
– have completed the First Story Young Writers Programme
– be aged 18 or over at the time of submission
Alumni were invited to submit either one poem of up to 40 lines or one piece of short fiction of up to 1000 words.
Entries are being judged anonymously by a panel of practicing writers who studied alongside Philip. Judges will award one overall prize, of an Arvon Online Writing Week, to the Alumni whose piece they consider the best. Up to three prizes of Arvon Masterclasses will be awarded to shortlisted entries.
The full Terms and Conditions.
Philip Pyke (1965-2021)
Philip Pyke (16 February 1965 – 7 August 2021) was born and lived in the West Midlands (Bloxwich). The son of Ray and Beryl Pyke, he was one of four children. Raised in a council house all four children went to university and went on to have highly successful careers. He studied Humanities at the University of Glamorgan where his love of writing novels, short stories and poetry grew. He married Sharanne and had two sons, Harri and Nathaniel and took on the role of ‘house husband’. When the boys left for university he completed an MA in Creative Writing with Cardiff University in 2015.
Quietly understated, with a raised eyebrow, a play on words, his observations of the absurdity of life and his people watching skills could floor everyone with laughter.
Kick by Philip Pyke
In our twisted sheets, your mother is not so sound asleep,
she’s all snores and sighs and grinding teeth.
Beyond sleep, all my counting sheep are shorn,
and I’m kept fast awake by thoughts of the unborn.
This evening I read a magazine
that said in the womb you’re full of dreams
and I’m wondering what dreams fill your head
when all you know is the flesh and blood of your bed.
I place a hand upon my sleeping wife
and feel your kick. The dream is life.
The Philip Pike Memorial Prize is supported by Sharanne Basham-Pyke and Arvon.
