MIAMI — Geoffrey Philp, author of Grandpa Sydney’s Anancy Stories, won the “Outstanding Writer” award from Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. Mr. Philp also won a gold medal for his poem, “Isaac’s Sacrifice,” and a silver medal for his short story, “Bobby Bijani and the Rolling Calf” in the national competition.
The National Creative Writing Competition Awards Ceremony & Exhibition Opening 2008 was held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica, on Wednesday, November 5. The ceremony marked the official opening of an island wide exhibition tour to the thirteen parish libraries and features the medal winning pieces in the categories of poetry, short stories, plays, novels, and essays.
Geoffrey Philp
“The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission has been an integral part of Jamaica’s literary development and I am honored to receive these awards,” said Philp, who will be appearing at the Miami Book Fair International Book Fair with the Student Literary Encounter series on November 12-13, 2008.
The JCDC National Creative Writing Competition encourages writers to sharpen their skills through the annual competition. Writers are invited to improve their craftsmanship and style, writing in Standard English or Jamaican Dialect. The Creative Writing Competition has spawned and celebrated many recognized professional writers in Jamaica including playwright Basil Dawkins whose 2005 gold medal winning entry “Hot Spot” has not only gone successfully to the stage locally, but has also toured internationally..
