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UVic Writing student wins top honours

After re-reading a congratulatory e-mail from PRISM International six times, Erin Fisher, 2011 winner of the literary journal's grand prize in fiction, has finally accepted the good news.

"I've sent a lot of stuff out that got rejected, so it felt great," said Fisher, a University of Victoria writing student.

A $2,000-prize came along with the recognition for her short story "Bridges," which follows six-year-old observer and story-teller, Fenton.

Last year, an earlier version of the work, originally penned for a first-year writing course, was shortlisted in The Malahat Review's Open Season Awards.

John Gould, the writing professor for whom 28 year-old Fisher first wrote "Bridges," called both the student and the story exceptional.

Gould characterized the story as ingenious, fresh, subtle and insightful.

"In a way, then, it isn't so surprising that the piece is now out there in the world," he added.

"Bridges" is the first publication for Fisher, who was also the winner of the 2009 Cadboro Bay Book Prize for Fiction.

nnorth@saanichnews.com