How a Haunted House inspired a Great Writer

The Asham Award, the Lewes-based national short story competition for unknown women writers, has its roots in a house reputed to be haunted. And this year’s Award, for the first time in its 15-year history, has a theme  - Ghost or Gothic.

One of the great writers of the 20^th century, Virginia Woolf lived in Asham House, at Beddingham near Lewes, for seven years with her husband Leonard. They were convinced the house was haunted by ghosts who wandered the rooms at night, opening and shutting doors and whispering to each other.

Although local people gave the house a wide berth, the Woolfs lived there very happily.  Virginia wrote some of her finest books there, plus a short story A Haunted House, which was inspired by Asham.

Asham House ended up derelict and forlorn in the middle of a landfill site and, despite public opposition, was demolished in 1994 - exactly 75 years after the Woolfs had to surrender their lease on the property.

The Asham award is run by the Asham Literary Endowment Trust, which was set up by Lewes District Council  from monies paid following the demolition of the house.

The Asham Award, the Trust’s flagship project,  is open to women writers over the age of 18.  Twelve winning stories will be published in an anthology by Virago, alongside specially commissioned stories by established writers - including Naomi Alderman, an Orange Prize winner whose writing career took off when she came third in the 2004 Asham Award.   In addition there is nearly  nearly £3,000 in prize money to be won - sponsored by, among others, Much Ado Books of Alfriston  and the Booker Prize Foundation.

Closing date for entries is September 30.  Full details about the competition, and an entry form, plus further information about the work of the Trust, can be found on www.ashamaward.com.  

Entry forms are also available by sending an A5 stamped addressed envelope to The Asham Trust, c/o Town Hall, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2QS.