New fiction meets old-world publishing

For Louise Ihringer, winner of this year's Creative Writing Competition, the publication process has taken a step backward in time.

Computerised processes now dominate the world of books - with writing, production and even reading going digital. But Louise's prize-winning story has been published in a hand-crafted, limited edition book, created with moveable type by the Oxford Guild of Printers.

The book passed through many skilled hands: it was typeset by Stan Lane of Gloucester Typesetting Services in Monotype Dante type, designed and printed by John Grice at Evergreen Press on Magnani paper, and was bound at the Fine Book Bindery in an edition of a hundred and fifty copies.

Because the process is so hands-on, Louise's book has taken a year to produce. It's a case of 21st century fiction meets 15th century craft.

Ms Ihringer's story is called It's Unfortunate for the Ants. She took a 'Memoir: Writing from Life' course in 2007-08 with tutor Carmen Bugan.

This year's contest was judged by John Ballam, Director of the Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing, Jenny Lewis, poetry tutor, and Frank Egerton, fiction tutor.

The Oxford Guild of Printers was on hand at the prize-giving reception on 24th July at Rewley House in Oxford with a small exhibit of their hand-crafted books.

Oxford University's Creative Writing Short Fiction Competition is a yearly event, held by the University's Department for Continuing Education. This is the first year the Oxford Guild of Printers has been involved.

Oxford's Continuing Education Department offers over 40 courses in Creative Writing, including weekly classes, day and weekend events, summer schools, plus two Oxford awards, the Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing and the MSt in Creative Writing.

This year's contest was open to all current students of Oxford University as well as present and former students of OUDCE creative writing classes. There were over 100 submissions.

Published 26 July 2012