2019 BBC Young Writers’ Award Final

Rowan Taylor (Lower Sixth) was excited to spend the day at BBC Broadcasting House on Tuesday 1st October with her family as the next stage of the 2019 BBC Young Writers’ Award, in conjunction with First Story and Cambridge University. Now in its fifth year, the Award was launched as part of the tenth anniversary celebrations for the BBC National Short Story Award, to encourage 14-18-year-old writers living in the United Kingdom.

Rowan’s short story, ‘Allotment’, was announced as one of the five entries shortlisted for the 2019 competition last week on BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks. ‘Allotment’ is an evocative piece of writing exploring a daughter’s changing relationship with her father after her parent’s marriage break-up, revealing the shift from desolation through sadness to new love as the seasons pass and new life, and hope, awakens.

The five shortlisted young writers spent the day of the award ceremony at the BBC participating in a creative writing workshop with author and judge, Patrice Lawrence. They also experienced a session in a recording studio and a tour of Broadcasting House with BBC producers before attending the award ceremony for both the BBC National Short Story Award and the BBC Young Writers’ Award.

Helen, Rowan’s mum, was enthusiastic about their visit: “Rowan and I had a great day at the BBC, visiting a Radio 4 studio where she got the chance to add sound effects to an extract from a Virginia Woolf essay we heard recorded. We also visited the Radio 1 studio and Live Lounge where we met Nick Grimshaw. Rowan also took part in a creative writing workshop with Patrice Lawrence and we really enjoyed being part of the audience for last night edition of Front Row – fascinating to see how the programme is put together.  I am very proud of Rowan, and grateful to Tom Rawlings, Head of English at Leighton Park, as without his encouragement she would not have entered, or even known about, the competition. I hope she is now inspired to continue her writing and enjoy taking part in many more competitions in future.”

Antonia Byatt, Chief Executive, First Story, reflected, “All five shortlisted pieces for the BBC Young Writers’ Award are extraordinary evidence that the future of creative writing is alive and well. We know from our work at First Story that our students have brave, witty and original voices. Writing is a powerful way for them to express themselves. All these short stories should be recommended reading and I will certainly be looking out for these writers in the future.”

The 2019 Young Writers’ Award was won by Georgie Woodhead for her story ‘Jelly-headed’ which BBC Radio 1 presenter and BBC YWA 2019, Chair of Judges, Katie Thistleton, described at gripping all the judges “with its harrowing description of a tragedy, and its relatable and heart-breaking theme of friendship. It wasn’t easy to forget and during the judging we kept on coming back to it.”

The five stories are available to listen to on BBC Sounds as part of the Short Works short story podcast or to read at www.bbc.co.uk/ywa.  You can also hear Rowan’s interview on BBC Radio Berkshire’s Breakfast show on Monday 23rd September. You will find it from 1:04:30 here.