SHAN 2024 short story competition

2024 winners

SHORT STORY FEEDBACK from Fee Mak, Host and Radio Presenter 

BBC 1XTRA Sunday Breakfast Show

“It’s been a pleasure reading all the short stories; picking a winner and 2 runners up was difficult!

Winner — Mark Blackburn  - If You Go Down To The Woods

Thoroughly enjoyed the way he set up the backstory and the structure of this fantasy story. I loved the fact that it was a story about a young child and his imagination but wasn’t childish. The message was very wholesome and had me wanting to know more. 

Runner up — Anne Willingale  - Frozen in above the Erme

This story was so well written and had me gripped from the first sentence. I thought I knew what was going to happen but the ending had an unexpected turn. Honestly superb!

Runner up — Helen Highwater (AKA Alison Huntingford) - The Search for Longtimber Woods

I loved the dystopian angle of this piece. It was refreshing to read and indulge in and was written in a way where I could literally picture it in my mind. 

Well done to everyone!”