University of Aberdeen launches 2011 Toulmin Prize

A prize honouring one of the finest exponents of written Doric in Scotland has been launched by the University of Aberdeen.

Backed by the university's Elphinstone Institute and the Word Festival, the 2011 Toulmin Prize is seeking entries from short story writers aged over 16.

The competition was founded four years ago in recognition of John Reid, an Aberdeenshire farm labourer who published under the name of David Toulmin.

Reid, whose work is mostly short stories and reminiscences but includes the novel Blown Seed, was known for writing in Doric, the dialect spoken in the north-east of Scotland.

Dr Ian Russell, director of the Elphinstone Institute, said: 'We're proud to be able to honour John Reid and his work in this way. His writing is powerful, evocative and witty.'

The University of Aberdeen will also mark the start of National Short Story Week, which runs from November 22nd to the 28th, by hosting readings from Alan Spence, Helen Lynch and Wayne Price, who teach in its English department.