Writer reaches final stages of contest

The competition which was open to Irish and United Kingdom writers received over 600 entries, Burgess's story Clothes is at the cutting edge of contemporary writing and is in a genre far removed from his normal Ulster Scots verse.

A member of the Derry Script Writers Group, Burgess heard of the competition from secretary Freya McClements, a Radio Foyle journalist who keeps members aware of all literary goings on.

Clothes is one of fifteen stories which Burgess is putting together with a view to a book of short stories being published.

The story Clothes is about a couple who are hard pressed for money. The wife decides to help their financial situation by taking up a job selling clothes, door to door. It deals with the fraught relationship of the couple, and an extra marital affair ensues.

When we asked the writer how he felt about being selected for the final stages he said: "Of course I'm delighted, surprised mind you, but delighted. Regarding the possibility of my work being put out on the flagship station Radio Four, that would be a breakthrough any writer would relish. This would be a vehicle to put your work before an international audience and who knows, an introduction to the big time"!

Last year Burgess's book of verse 'Dae ye see' was recommended reading for Queen's University's outer reading programme. The writer himself will be presenting and reading his own work over the next few weeks on the popular BBC Radio programme Kist O' Words.

The final outcome of the competition will be announced at the end of April.