We are thrilled to be celebrating not just double, but triple success for SMC creative writers this week, as Beana (LV) was shortlisted in the prestigious Young Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, whilst Norah (UVI) was announced the winner of the Stepping into Stories Festival Fiction Competition, as well as being shortlisted for the Love Letters to London Prize!

Beana was one of only 28 young writers, selected from thousands of entries across the UK, to earn a coveted place on the 2025 Young Walter Scott Prize shortlist. The UK’s only creative writing prize specifically for budding historical fiction writers, entrants are challenged to write a story set in ‘a time before you were born’. Beana’s poignant depiction of the aftermath of Pearl Harbour impressed the judges and she now stands a chance of  winning a £500 travel grant, and an invitation to the Borders Book Festival in May where winners will be announced. All shortlisted entries will also be printed in a special anthology. 

Meanwhile, Sixth Former Norah was invited to the Stepping into Stories Festival in London before Half Term, to celebrate her prize winning story ‘Pick-pocketing Polaris’. The competition, run as part of the London Stepping into Stories Book Festival, asked young writers to create a story that fitted onto a single side of A4 with the theme ‘Reaching for the Stars’. The judge was multi-award winning author Robyn Stevens, who praised the maturity, sophistication and simple poignancy of Norah’s writing.

Not content with just one accolade, Norah has also been shortlisted for the highly competitive Love Letters to London Prize. Run by The London Society this popular competition attracts hundreds of entries and offers over £4000 in prize money. This year the competition organisers have teamed up with St Paul’s Cathedral who will be hosting the prizegiving in St Paul’s Crypt  later this month. As 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s sermon at St Paul’s this year’s competition was themed around Dreams for London. We wish Norah all the best and look forward to hearing news of the big event!

Norah is a keen member of SMC’s popular Writers Guild which meets every Tuesday and is open to budding bestsellers and secret scribblers in all year groups. Run by Mrs Bruton, the club has a termly theme (last term was Murder Mystery, now it’s Myths and Legends!) writing challenges and a chance to chat about the joys and frustrations of writing with fellow wordsmiths. There’s also news of local, national and international writing prize opportunities, with young SMC writers recently entering competitions including the Orwell Youth Prize, the Canterbury Tales Short Story Competition, the Christopher Tower Poetry Competition, and many more.

Huge congratulations to Norah and Beana, and good luck to all our talented young SMC authors! Keep scribbling!  

Mrs Catherine Bruton, English Teacher and The Writer's Guild