The actual Observer / Anthony Burgess Arts Journalism prize is an elegant thing of modernist beauty — a clear Perspex block, small and neat, stamped with the picture of a stylish black typewriter.  It is, charmingly, modelled after an arts journalism prize once won by Burgess himself  (this detail tells something of the care with […]

Being awarded the Observer/Anthony Burgess Prize was an unbelievable privilege. Apart from being published in the Observer and the cash prize (which I put towards research trips for future writing), it was an invaluable insight into newspapers’ commissioning processes. I’m very grateful for the contact and guidance I’ve had since. It was a pleasure to […]

What makes good criticism? It’s a big question, especially in this age where there are more critics than ever. Specialist blogs proliferate; anyone with a social media handle can review the latest films, novels, albums, plates of food…. Firstly, it’s important to separate general cultural criticism from academic criticism. The latter is deep-delving, forensically detailed. […]

I am delighted to be judging the Anthony Burgess prize. At a time when the arts pages in many of our newspapers are under threat, it seems doubly important to celebrate the role of arts journalism both as a necessary tool in enabling the circulation of books, pictures and films and as an art form […]

For me, winning the first ever Anthony Burgess/Observer Prize in 2012 ­­– as opposed to an award given in any other similarly esteemed writer’s name – had a uniquely personal resonance. To someone who grew up in the north-west, without obvious advantages of birth or connection, and who went on to study and compose music, all the while harbouring a passion […]

The International Anthony Burgess Foundation invites papers to be presented at the centenary conference, ANTHONY BURGESS: LIFE, WORK, REPUTATION. The conference will take place in Manchester on 3, 4, and 5 July 2017. The conference will have three main points of focus: LIFE Born and educated in Manchester, Burgess spent the Second World War in […]

The International Anthony Burgess Foundation invites papers to be presented at the centenary conference, ANTHONY BURGESS: LIFE, WORK, REPUTATION.

Carly Rowley reports on her recent PhD success.

Burgess and the idea of a single European language

Anthony Burgess’s view of Europe, by Will Carr