As part of Wolverhampton Literature Festival children and young adults from across the city were invited to take part in a creative writing competition.

Wolverhampton's Library Service teamed up with GoWrite to launch the competition as part of a Creative Writing Camp.

Eight to 18-year olds were invited to write a flash fiction story of up to 500 words, with over 130 entries received, varying from Fantasy to Dear Diaries.

The finalists and winners were voted and chosen by a select panel of judges. 

Each finalist will receive a copy of their flash fiction story in a finished book and the overall winners will record their stories, which will be presented as part of the Wolverhampton Literature Festival starting tomorrow (February 12-14).

The panel, which consisted of City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, City Librarian, Robert Johnson, GoWrite’s Russell Newman, Wolverhampton’s Poet Laureate, Emma Purshouse, Libraries and Audience Development Officer, Georgina Cheung, and University of Wolverhampton Senior Lecturer for Creative Writing, Lisa Blower, selected a winner for each category and an overall winner. 

Evie Connolly, aged 15, from Pendeford, won the 12-15 category and was named overall winner; Maya McHenry, aged 11, from Pennfields, was top in the 7-11 category; and Sam Webb, aged 18, from Bilston, won the 16-18 category.

Councillor Simkins said: “I would like to congratulate all the finalists and the winners for writing such exceptional Flash Fiction in 500 words.

“It is great to see the young people of Wolverhampton are being encouraged and getting involved with the Wolverhampton Literature Festival - and their work will be shared during the festival weekend.”

Russell Newman from GoWrite, added: “It has been a phenomenal writing event this year with young people across Wolverhampton entering the competition in their droves. We had over 130 entrants and the next stage of the competition saw every writer voting for their favourite stories, with almost 700 votes cast.

“The standard of work in the final was incredible and demonstrated the wonderful creative talent that young people in Wolverhampton have.” 

For more information on the Wolverhampton Literature Festival programme visit www.wolveslitfest.co.uk.

Please be aware events will be delivered according to government regulations.

You can also find us on Twitter @WolvesLitFest, Facebook @WolvesLitFest and Instagram #wolveslitfest.