Centre for New Writing student Mary Trend wins PFD literature prize

Mary Trend, Creative Writing MA student from The University of Manchester’s Centre for New Writing, has been awarded the Peters Fraser and Dunlop (PFD) Literature Prize for her novel-in-progress, Bitter Honey, which explores unapologetic female ambition through desire, deception and delusion as it follows a ruthless anti-heroine determined to trick her way to a better life.

Mary said on winning the prize: “I’m delighted to receive the PFD prize. In a year that’s been full of isolation, it’s a wonderful reminder of the community out there ready to support new writers.”

“The quality of work submitted was incredibly high this year and reading each submission was an absolute joy," said Kate Evans from PFD.  "While I was struck by the originality and storytelling in a number of novels in progress I was truly gripped by Mary Trend’s work. A truly unique voice and a delightful, indulgent, beautifully observed central character. I am extremely excited to work with Mary on developing this remarkable novel."

Ian McGuire, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing said: "We are very grateful, as always, to PFD for sponsoring this year’s MA fiction prize. They read all our students’ work with great care and attention. We recognise that it is always hard for them to choose a winner, but Mary’s work is exceptional and I’m very pleased to see it recognised in this special way."

You can find out more about Mary and read an extract from her novel in the Manchester Anthology, where you can also read the wonderful pieces written by the talented new writers featured in the anthology.