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The Anne Brown Prize awards £1500 for the best literary essay by a writer in or from Scotland

The 2024 prize launches 1 November 2023. Submissions close 31 March 2024

Constant and dedicated champion of the Book Festival since its inception, the Essay Prize was established in honour of Anne Brown’s contribution within Wigtown as well as her astonishing career in radio and broadcasting and her cultivation of new talent in journalism.

Remembering Anne Brown

Learn more about Anne Brown, namesake of the Essay Prize, and her extraordinary legacy in championing new talent in an exclusive interview with Anne's daughter, Jo Lawrence.

During the Essay Prize Launch, Jo spoke of the hundreds of letters she received following her mother’s death, including letters from household names. “She was so well connected but you would never have known,” Jo says. “She was so self-effacing.”

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About the Prize

The essay prize welcomes all entrants aged over 16 and resident in Scotland, born in Scotland or with a longstanding association with Scotland.

The word limit is 4000

Essays may be on any subject

There is no entry fee

View full terms and conditions

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Anne Brown Essay Prize

Today sees the launch of the 2022 Anne Brown Essay Prize for Scotland, run by Wigtown Book Festival in partnership with The Herald.
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