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Go shoppingIt’s finally time to reveal the winner of the IGGY & Litro Young Writers’ Prize! The winner is… Rahemeen Ahmed from Islamabad for her story Dreams
The IGGY and Litro Young Writers’ Prize was open to IGGY Members aged 13-18 and was launched in collaboration with London’s Litro Magazine for the fourth year running. Members submitted short stories no longer than 2,500 words in length on this year’s theme of Dream. Competition was fierce, and the judges received many entries from talented young writers from across the globe. Last month, we announced the longlisted and shortlisted young writers who are aged 13-17 and hail from countries including South Africa, Australia, Canada and the UK.
The judging panel included writer and critic Ian Sansom; BBC Broadcaster and Writer John McCarthy CBE; creative writer and teacher Francis Gilbert; award-winning writer and performance poet Dean Atta and teenage writer Simi Prasad. The panel were incredibly impressed by the quality of this year’s entries, and especially by Rahemeen’s work. Eric Akoto, Editor in Chief of Litro Magazine, says:
“What stands out for me with Rahemeen’s story is the ability the young writer manages to achieve in taking her readers on this mythical journey. Reading the story, you feel yourself transferred into the pages of her writing.”
Rahemeen wins a cash prize of £2000 and will see her work in print in London’s Litro Magazine and on IGGY.net.
IGGY and Litro Magazine have partnered on an annual young writers’ competition for the last four years, and many teenagers have been inspired to continue to develop their writing skills through this award. Ken Sloan, Registrar and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Warwick, says:
“IGGY is all about providing opportunities for talent to flourish, and we’re delighted to work with Litro for the fourth year to encourage new writing talent. This year we’ve received entries from young people across the world displaying passion, talent and individuality in their writing. Congratulations to the winner and everyone who took part.”
The five runners up will also be awarded £200 each.
Browse our IGGY & Litro Young Writers’ Prize Microsite where you can read the winning story in English and translated into six foreign languages. You can also read the five other shortlisted stories in English; meet our shortlisted writers and the judging panel; take a look at some Writing Tips and read entries to the Writing Prize Blog. Enjoy!
• Read the winning story – Dreams by Rahemeen Ahmed
• Take a look at the shortlisted stories
• Take a look at the longlisted young writers
About Eric Akoto
Eric Akoto is the visionary founder of Litro Magazine, an international platform dedicated to celebrating diverse voices and fostering storytelling across borders. Under his leadership, Litro has evolved into a vibrant hub where emerging writers and established authors come together, creating a dynamic space for literary innovation and cultural dialogue. Eric’s entrepreneurial spirit and creative foresight have made Litro a beacon for cross-cultural exchange in the literary world. Beyond his professional endeavours, Eric is a passionate advocate for personal well-being, balancing his pursuits with a commitment to meditation and his love for tennis.
