Andrew Lownie judges biography prize
3 Mar 2013

Andrew Lownie will be judging the Earlyworks Press Biography Challenge.

“I’m a great believer that all history is really biography as it’s people who generally shape events rather than inexorable historical movements. All of us, I think, are fascinated by what makes people ‘tick’ and hence our traditional love of biography.

“What I look for in a biography, though it has to be totally accurate and well-researched, is what I also want in a novel – a strong narrative arc, a compelling story, the ability to set a scene, to create a sense of place and to delineate character.

“What I love about biography is it can be used to humanise almost any story and it can take many forms from “the cradle to the grave” approach to the “slice of life”. In the hands of a pro, it can be the most satisfying of any genre.”

Earlyworks Press Biography Challenge

The closing date for entries is the 31st March 2014.