New literary award to promote positive understanding and awareness of disabilities

The Enrico Charles Literary Award is being launched by Charlotte Wingfield. Its aim is to promote positive understanding and awareness of all physical disabilities. The Award is in memory of Charlotte's son, Enrico Charles.

Writers can submit works of either fact or fiction, describing how physical disability can be overcome and how it need not be a bar to a successful life.

Entries should help improve the knowledge of those who are unaware of issues faced by people with a disability as well as offer information and support to anyone affected by a disability, their families and healthcare practitioners.

Shelina Permalloo of the Diversity in Publishing Network commented: "DIPNET welcomes any initiative that helps to promote positive messages about disability. This Award is an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of diversity in publishing as well as supporting talented and creative individuals into the industry."

There are two categories: one for published works and the other for unpublished writing. First prize for the unpublished piece will be £400. There are also two runner-up prizes of £150 in this category. First prize for the published work will be a bronze and marble statue of a sleeping child.

The deadline for entries is 4 June 2010.

www.enricocharlesliteraryaward.com.