Literary talent at the 黑料社 is celebrated and showcased in Vortex, the annual anthology of work by Creative Writing students on the BA and MA programmes.
A launch event for the 2026 edition, a rich mix of poetry and prose, featured reading by several contributors.
Inspiration comes from contemporary preoccupations such as the climate crisis, universal themes such as love and loss and the intimate and particular concerns of everyday life. There’s also room for flights of fancy such as the school day embarrassment which sets a comically inept supervillain on the path of evil.
This is the 21st edition of Vortex, making it as old or older than many of this year’s contributors.
Vortex was devised in 2005 by student Tom Masters who, aided by friends, produced the first collection using a photocopier.
It was adopted by the Creative Writing undergraduate programme and edited by the late Professor Neil McCaw for the first decade or so.
Vortex is currently overseen by Judith Heneghan, Programme Leader, MA Creative Writing, who said: “When asked what he looked for in a submission, Neil liked to say ‘work that knocks your socks off’. This holds true today as much as ever.”
Although Judith is project leader, the anthology editor Lydia Gallagher and assistant editor Ectorius Angel are both students.
At the launch event Lydia, who had also been assistant editor in her first year, said the task had given her a taste for a career in publishing.
“I’ve learned a lot from the job and it has given me some very good skills for the future,” she said.
Both Judith and Lydia thanked everyone who had submitted work.
Submissions were open to Creative Writing students on the BA and MA programmes and around a third of the 60-plus submissions were selected for inclusion.
“Seeing your work in print for the first time is a milestone for any writer. It connects you with readers and it is a mark of esteem – something to add to your CV,” said Judith.
Vortex contributors who have gone on to become published authors include novelist Claire Gradidge, young adult fiction writer David Owen, children’s author Sarah Lean and poet Wendy Falla.
Third year prize-winners (from left): Laura Howe - Award for Creative Non Fiction; Eva Yuille - Award for Song Lyrics; Lydia Gallagher - Neil McCaw Award for Outstanding Contribution (to the programme) ; Michaela Fortunato - Neil McCaw Award for Outstanding Contribution, Jemima Humphry - Award for Fiction with (front) Vanessa Harbour, Leader for BA Creative Writing.
Another Vortex alumna is Vanessa Harbour, who recently received the for her children’s wartime adventure Safe.
At the launch event Vanessa, who Programme Leader for BA Creative Writing, presented prizes to celebrate the achievements of Third Year students before they leave.
The recipients were:
Pictured top: Some of the Contributors to Vortex with (front left) Judith Heneghan, Programme Leader, MA Creative Writing. Editor Lydia Gallagher (second from right front row) and assistant editor Ectorius Angel (centre front row)
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