The next generation of winning writers

Literature Works has announced the winners of this year’s Young Writers’ Flash Fiction competition. 

The registered South-West charity worked with Exeter Canal and Quay Trust to deliver Quay Words ‘Key Words’, a Flash Fiction competition encouraging the talents of young, aspiring writers. 

In her foreword to the competition, Helen Chaloner, CEO of Literature Works, said: "Quay Words is a vibrant and inclusive programme of live literature at Exeter Custom House, which has been our privilege to produce since 2019, with generous support from Exeter Canal Trust. 

"Our aim is to enliven a landmark building in Exeter's historic Quayside using the flexible artform of literature. It is thrilling to see how audiences and participants in all kinds of world-based creative activity are thriving in the city."

Above: Key Words pamphlet cover. Image: Literature Works

Individuals aged 14–18 could submit short stories up to 250 words, while those aged 10–14 could write up to 500. 

These young writers could write about anything their hearts desired, as long as it connected to “key” words and reflected on what those words might symbolise.

The winners were:

Aged 10-14

1st Place – Evie Coulson, Year 7                               Death Awaits

2nd Place – Iris Davies, age 12                                   Forgettable

3rd Place – Lauren Shearer, age 13                          I wake up, Mummy shaking me…

Aged 14-18

1st Place – Arianna Ibbotson, Year 10                    Keys are funny little things aren’t they?

2nd Place – Ammaarah Vohra, age 16                  A Pound of Flesh

3rd Place – Amara Nwuneli, age 16                        Forever Until We Are Never More

There were also two Highly Commended entries by Aashutosh Adhikari, who is based in Nepal, and by Shekina Oh.

Above: Iris and Wendy. Image: Literature Works

A spokesperson for Literature Works said: “We were delighted to receive so many fantastic entries from across the world and by the outstanding quality and diversity of the writing.”

Wendy Meddour, an internationally bestselling children's author and Director of Creative Writing at Exeter University, presented the prizes to the winners at Exeter Custom House on Saturday, October 12.

Above: Lauren and Wendy. Image: Literature Works

The winners were invited to read their entries to the audience, with Wendy stepping in to read for those who preferred not to.

Based in Nigeria, Amara Nwuneli sent a video of herself reading her piece, which was projected on screen during the ceremony.

Above: Amara Nwuneli reading from Nigeria. Image: Literature Works

After the prizegiving, Wendy spoke to the young writers about her journey to authorhood and greatly encouraged their literary ambitions.

In addition to the cash prizes, the winning young writers will be published in Literature Work’s inaugural Key Words Flash Fiction Pamphlet, which was designed and edited by Exeter MA Publishing student Bethan Oakley as part of her final dissertation project.

First-place winner of the age 10-14 category, Evie, shared her ambitions after this excellent achievement: “I would like to try some more competitions and hopefully win some more, and if I’m really lucky, become a famous author one day.”

Above: Evie and Wendy. Image: Literature Works

Arianna, who won first place in the age 14-18 category, had a similar sentiment, saying: “I enjoy writing fiction because it allows me to get creative. It lets me go to a whole new place, which is the main reason I read so much, too. Writing books has always been an aspiration of mine, and I hope to use it in any future careers I do.”

Above: Arianna and Wendy. Image: Literature Works

You can find out more about the winners via the Quay Words website.