Meet Kay McLoughlin - SWF22 First 5 Pages Grand Prize Winner
Catherine Pettersson introducing Kay McLoughlin, SWF22 FFPP grand prize winner.
Kay McLoughlin is the grand prize winner of the SWF2022 First 5 Pages Prize for the submission from her novel Truth Be Told. Right from the opening lines Kay’s protagonist draws us in with his humble and authentic voice, describing the events of his wedding day, and painting a picture of days long gone.
Kay’s novel is a historical fiction piece, and she has managed to capture another era’s cadence and uniquely colloquial turn of phrase that is immediately engaging, and captivating.
Reading from her first pages at the Stockholm Writers Festival at the opening night celebration in August, 2022, the audience was spellbound by Kay’s delivery. Her prose are wonderful, and to be honest, when she read them aloud they seemed nigh poetic.
We are eagerly looking forward to getting a copy of her novel Truth Be Told once it’s published. It’s one of those books that we know will just fly off the shelves, and we’re so proud to be able to say “We knew her when…”
And just a reminder, the Stockholm Writers Festival 2023 First 5 Pages Prize opened on January 2nd, 2023 and will close for submissions on Sunday, March 12th, 2023. Be sure to enter with your first five pages and secure your chance to win $1,000 USD, a weekend stay in an elegant Stockholm hotel, a full festival pass, and an agent pitch session!
First of all, congratulations on your win! What an absolute thrill it was for us to see the sheer number of quality entries for the SWF22 First 5 Pages Prize, and then for us to finally get the results of the top five genre winners, and the grand prize winner was incredibly exciting. We’re really interested to find out how it impacted you, and your writing. So, let’s start there: How did you feel after submitting your first five pages and officially entering into the contest?
Submitting to competitions is an important exercise for writers and also an excellent discipline. It encourages the writer to stay hopeful . On submitting to SWF I crossed all my fingers and toes.
During the judging period, were you feeling confident, or were you plagued with doubts?
I believe anyone that expresses themselves through creativity has doubts, You are baring your soul whether it be through writing, music or art. Some of our greatest writers are plagued with doubts, however we also must be our most robust critics, otherwise we can become complacent.
Kay McLoughlin and Catherine Pettersson at the Stockholm Writers Festival Award Ceremony
What went through your mind once the long and shortlists were announced, and your entry was included?
Writers get many rejections so I was absolutely thrilled to make it to the long list, but then the short list was announced and I was still there. I cannot express how delighted I was.
Finally, when the prize winners were announced, how did you learn the news, and what was your initial reaction?
I check my emails every morning and when I saw the message from SWF I had zero expectations, I was so happy to have made the shortlist I never imagined I would be the grand prize winner. I will admit to letting out a joyful scream!
How did you come up with the idea for the piece you submitted?
The piece I submitted was from a completed manuscript I began writing during a year and a half when I was ill. Paradoxically, a cancer diagnosis gave me the gift of time. I was too sick and weak to work in my art studio. The voice of my protagonist, Tom Goddard, came to me like a gift. I wrote his story in its entirety and then, like falling stars, other voices came to visit and I began a creative journey that saved me.
This competition is tough, because it comes down to grabbing the judges attention within those first five pages, and that means top-notch writing and editing - can you talk about your editing and revision process?
Kay McLoughlin with the SWF2022 Grand Prize Award at SWF22 in Stockholm
Funnily enough the first five pages and the opening line were not initially the beginning of my manuscript but featured further along in the story. But through extensive editing I realised that the sentence ...
"Putting aside her deformity I deemed Sadie to be the loveliest bride I ever laid eyes on" was a compelling opening line, and so, I changed the first five pages and indeed the first chapter.
How has winning this prize and the recognition from the Stockholm Writers Festival influenced your writing in the following months?
Winning the prize was a huge affirmation of all the hard work and tenacity that goes into writing a manuscript and was also a huge boost to my confidence, as writers are plagued with self doubt.
We’re curious about the status of your novel now, as part of the prize, you were able to meet with an agent for a pitch session - how did the agent pitch meeting go?
The pitch meeting went well, but I have not secured representation yet, however the sponsor prize from Reedsy was invaluable. The developmental edit has been amazing. It's crucial to have an independent, objective voice to offer advice and constructive criticism. My manuscript is now a better one because of it. I feel it is now finally in the best shape it can be, and now ready to present to a publisher.
You were able to attend the festival itself in 2022 - what were your main take-aways and impressions of the festival?
My main takeaway impressions were that the festival is a wonderful fusion of people from around the world with one passion...to write and support others that do.
The writing community I met there was both generous and interested in each other's work, but also willing to learn, develop and grow as writers through workshops and networking.
Will you be returning to the festival in the future?
Absolutely!
Finally, do you have any advice for aspiring writers on entering the SWF First 5 Pages Prize?
Only submit your work when you know for certain your first five pages are as compelling, well written and original as you can make them. Good luck!