It’s a prize he’s always dreamed of winning.

Jon McGregor, award-winning writer, honorary graduate and honorary lecturer at the University, is one of only three British authors ever to win the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the largest prize for an English novel nominated by librarians.

The £80,000 prize was awarded to McGregor for Even the Dogs, a beautifully written story of what happens to the body of an alcoholic after he is found dead in his flat in an English city between Christmas and New Year.

McGregor lives in Nottingham. In 2011, the University awarded him an honorary doctorate and he became an honorary lecturer in the School of English.

McGregor said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won this award, and to be bringing it home to Nottingham. The IMPAC Dublin Literary Award has always been a prize I’ve looked out for, as its shortlists have consistently featured books of real strength and international standing. It’s one of the few prizes which considers works from anywhere in the world written in or translated into English, and as such has often highlighted real gems which might otherwise have gone unnoticed by the wider reading community. So to have received this award for Even the Dogs is a real honour. The money’s not bad either.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor David Greenaway said: “We are thrilled that Jon McGregor has won this prestigious international prize. It is marvellous news for the city and for our University. We feel privileged to have strong connections with Jon as an honorary graduate and honorary lecturer in our University. This award is a stunning achievement in the highly competitive global literary field and both staff and students will be very proud to associate with Jon as one of the creative figureheads of the University.”

Even The Dogs was chosen from a shortlist of 10, and a longlist of 147 books from 43 countries. It was nominated by M.I. Rudomino State Library for Foreign Literature, Moscow, Russia.

Head of School of English, Professor Julie Sanders, said: “The School of English is brimming with pride at the announcement of Jon McGregor’s success in the IMPAC literary prize. Jon has been a wonderful presence in the School this year as an honorary lecturer, working with energy and verve alongside staff and students and taking part in highly successful public events at the Lakeside Arts Centre. We are delighted to see his outstanding writing honoured in this way.”

See Jon McGregor’s acceptance speech at his honorary degree ceremony: http://tiny.cc/UoNJonMc