'Diverse' BBC Young Writers’ Award shortlist revealed

Five young writers aged 14-19 are shortlisted for this year’s BBC Young Writers’ Award.

The prize, administered by Book Trust for the BBC, is for stories of 1,000 words or less by teen writers.

The shortlist was announced on Alice Levine’s show on BBC Radio 1 on Saturday (1st October) and comprises: ‘Liar, Liar’ by Sumner Brook, which explores the idea of ‘misdeeds reaping just rewards’; ‘Life in Reverse’, by Rebekah Cohen, a story about dementia; ‘Ode to a Boy Musician’ by Lizzie Freestone, about a boy set free by music; ‘The Good Son’ by Hilla Hamidi, which was inspired by Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Digging’; and ‘Innocence Lost’ by Alan Taylor, about a boy undergoing his initiation into manhood.

Levine, who was chair of the judges, said: “The shortlist this year is so diverse both in style and subject matter. Having chaired proceedings for a second time I am thrilled that the quality of submissions is extremely impressive yet again. These are not just great young writers; these are great writers.”

The five shortlisted writers will be invited to the BBC National Short Story Award ceremony on 4th October 2016, when the winner will be announced live on the radio show Front Row. The winner will receive a mentoring session with author Anthony Anaxagorou. Their story will also be read on the Huw Stephens show on BBC Radio 1.

The shortlisted stories can be read online on the BBC Radio 1 website.