Lulu Jemimah is an international student from Uganda, in her third year of a Bachelor of Arts – Media. She is majoring in Screen Production and decided to take some creative writing units, in order to develop her storytelling skills. Her shortlisted story An African Santa came about after a professor encouraged her to "…write what I knew."
Peter Dickison is a mature age student in his third year of study (first semester at Macquarie). He transferred from the University of Newcastle to Macquarie to study Bachelor of Arts with a major in Creative Writing. Peter's story Past, present is first work he had ever submitted to a writing competition. Peter said he was encouraged by one of his professors who recommended sending his stories to various publications. His professor told him, "You don't want to be the greatest writer no one has ever heard of."
Both Lulu and Peter are elated about their nomination.
"I called just about everyone I knew, including friends and family back home," says Lulu.
Peter adds, "Being shortlisted has given me a much-needed boost in confidence, and shown me that my writing might not be as bad as I think! There's nothing like setting your heart on being a writer, being passionate about telling stories, and then having a panel of judges tell you that well, actually, you might not be wasting your time in pursuing this as a career."
Lulu hopes to continue her studies with a Masters or PhD in Ethnographic Film Studies, with Uganda as her case study, while Peter wants to become a writer and will most likely complete a postgraduate certificate in editing and publishing and a Masters or PhD.
The Monash Creative Writing Prize is open to Australian and New Zealand students enrolled in an undergraduate or honours degree. All types of creative writing are accepted, including short stories, non-fiction narrative and narrative verse.
The winner was announced on 26 May at the launch of the Emerging Writers Festival in Melbourne. Lulu and Peter unfortunately did not bag the prize, but congratulations go to both of them for their exceptional accomplishment. Lulu said of the experience: "I walked away with a resolve to write more and also put my work out there… It was great to meet other aspiring writers. Most of them were writing majors and it gave me pride to have been selected with them."
Well done Lulu and Peter. We are very proud of you and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
