We're delighted to announce that Nick Hern Books is to publish an anthology of the three winning plays in the inaugural Heretic Voices competition.

The Heretic Voices competition searched for the best new writing in monologue form – the winners, revealed today (28 November) by organisers Heretic Productions, are:

Woman Caught Unaware by Annie Fox – a searing and bleakly funny debut play which examines of the culture of body shaming

Dean McBride by Sonya Hale – a vivid and poetic story of loss and redemption set on a Croydon council estate

A Hundred Words for Snow from Tatty Hennessy – a thrilling and brave exploration of mortality, adolescence and the Arctic

The plays will be produced with leading actors and directors for performances at the Arcola Theatre from 9-13 January 2018, with all three monologues performed each evening.

Max Gill, Artistic Director of Heretic Productions: 'Our three winning plays stood out to the judges for the belief and conviction each writer showed in their own voice. Their writing is original, honest, and surprising and their handling of the monologue form highly sophisticated. Their words sing on the page but crucially the dramatic tension that thrives at the heart of each means they are begging to be performed. 

We’re thrilled that the remarkable work of these playwrights will be performed, and published by Nick Hern Books so that audiences can enjoy their work as much as we have.'

Matt Applewhite, Managing Director of Nick Hern Books: 'Writing a monologue is a unique challenge and opportunity: telling a story and holding an audience's attention with only a single performer's voice. We're delighted to collaborate with Heretic Productions in publishing these three fine, now award-winning examples of the form - and giving them a longer life in the future, on the printed page, in the audition room, and in production.'