Young writers have turned creative success into a boost for their schools’ libraries.
Winners of this year’s Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival (BLF) Creative Writing Competition secured £800 each in new books for their school libraries.
The competition, open to all ages, invited participants to imagine what might happen next in a favourite story.
Entries could be up to 800 words and explored the future adventures of beloved literary characters.
A special bookshop lock-in was held at Harris & Harris Books in Clare, where the winners, their families and school representatives spent time browsing shelves and publisher catalogues to select their prizes.
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Amber Denby, aged six, won the 5-8 category.
Julia Wakelam, chair of BLF’s trustees, said of her winning entry: "Amber has shown great imagination in making Spot, another much-loved dog in children's literature, Dot's friend.
"I loved the idea that Dot could also help children who were nervous at school, and the description of Dot's 'little fluffy shake.' A lovely read, well done Amber."
In the 8-11 age group, Kabya Ranabhat, 11, from Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School, won for When Stars Are Scattered.
Beccy Parsons, bookseller at Harris & Harris Books and judge, said: "The ending came as a surprise to me, and although it was a sad ending, I'd be really keen to read a sequel, or even a prequel.
"Well done for tackling a big topic, and I look forward to seeing more of your writing in the future."
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In the 12-17 category, Hosannah Gee from St Benedict’s Upper School won for The New Alice.
Ashley Hickson-Lovence, author and BLF honorary patron, said: "I loved the way it brings Alice in Wonderland into a more modern world while still keeping the strange, playful feel of the original.
"The narrator has a really strong voice, and the ending makes you want to know what happens next."
The adult category winner was Sharon Williams for No Return To Wonderland.
Sharon said: "I'm absolutely surprised and delighted that my story No Return to Wonderland is a winning entry in this year's Bury St Edmunds Creative Writing Competition."
Margaret Meyer, judge and author, said: "No Return to Wonderland stands out for its ingenious blending of modern touches (such as ATM-like screens with passcodes) with the traditional and well-loved elements of the original Alice in Wonderland story.
"This is a story that celebrates the possibilities for wonder in the everyday."
Prizes for the three youth category winners included £800 in books for their school library, a £50 book voucher, free tickets to festival events, publication of their entry in the Bury Free Press, and a festival certificate.
Runners-up received a £25 book voucher, publication in the Bury Free Press, and a festival certificate.
BLF is a registered charity that aims to bring authors, poets and storytelling to audiences of all ages in Bury St Edmunds.
The Creative Writing Competition is a central part of BLF's annual programming, with entries collected through local Waterstones stores, Bury St Edmunds Library and Harris & Harris Books.
Certificates will be presented at a festival event featuring actor Hugh Bonneville on Sunday, October 11.
The adult winners will be celebrated at a separate event following the Friday, October 9 performance of Ouida: A Little Scandal Is An Excellent Thing at the United Reformed Church in Whiting Street.
This story is published as part of Born & Read in Suffolk, a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing and Suffolk Community Libraries, headline sponsor Sizewell C and sponsor Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority, and supported by Ipswich Town Football Club. Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk
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