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Priscilla Morris

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Priscilla Morris
Occupation
  • Lecturer
  • Writer
Alma materUniversity of East Anglia
Notable worksBlack Butterflies
Website
priscillamorris.org

Priscilla Morris is a British author and lecturer whose debut novel, Black Butterflies, was shortlisted for a number of awards including the Women's Prize for Fiction.

Early and personal life

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Morris' mother is from Sarajevo, Bosnia and her father is from England.[1] Growing up, she spent her summers in Sarajevo.[2]

In 1993, relatives fleeing the siege of Sarajevo stayed at her family's home in London.[1] Her father used a Times press pass to travel to Sarajevo and rescue his parents in law.[2] Her great uncle, artist Dobrivoje Beljkašić, also fled the siege of Sarajevo.[1][2]

Morris began university in 1993.[2] She has a PhD in creative writing from the University of East Anglia and works as a lecturer.[3]

Writing career

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Her debut novel, Black Butterflies, is set during siege of Sarajevo and is inspired by the experiences of Morris and her family.[1] In 2023, it was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction, the Ondaatje Prize and the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award.[4][5][6] It sold 5,979 copies before the 3rd of June 2023.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Wilding, Rob (2023-03-08). "Priscilla Morris discusses art, war and Black Butterflies". Duckworth Books. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  2. ^ a b c d "Writing about Sarajevo: Life under siege, art on fire". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  3. ^ Gregory, Elizabeth (2023-04-26). "Women's Prize for Fiction: who is who on the 2023 shortlist?". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  4. ^ Shaffi, Sarah (2023-04-26). "Three debut novels compete among Women's prize for fiction shortlist". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  5. ^ Callaghan, Morgan (2023-04-27). "RSL Ondaatje Prize 2023 Shortlist". Royal Society of Literature. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  6. ^ "Shortlist announced for Authors' Club Best First Novel Award 2023". The Authors' Club Since 1891. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  7. ^ Creamer, Ella (2023-06-13). "Maggie O'Farrell leads sales ahead of Women's prize for fiction announcement". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-26.