A FEW talented young people from Launceston are celebrating after their success at a national storytelling contest.

Four creative Year 9 students from Launceston College, recently took part in the Quay Words Young Writers Flash Fiction Competition, where this year’s theme was ‘generations’.

The competition challenged young writers aged 10 to 18 to craft compelling stories with depth and impact with only 250 or 500 words depending on their age.

Quay Words is an ongoing live literature programme at the historic Exeter Custom House on Exeter Quayside. It showcases literature as a diverse and flexible art form, with something for everyone and is a core project of Exeter as a UNESCO City of Literature.  Quay Words aims to provide direct access to new voices and exciting, diverse writing from around the country and the world; it offers performance, community and opportunities to take part; it is structured around themed seasons and writer residencies, and celebrates creative expression through words in all its many forms, from fiction, to page poetry, storytelling to spoken word and life writing.

With the theme in mind, Launceston’s young talents flexed their creative abilities and submitted their stories.

One student, Esther B, has received special congratulations after her story was highly commended by the judging panel.

Following her success, her story will be published in print, and she has been invited to a special awards ceremony this October to celebrate her achievement. The judges praised Esther’s entry, saying: “We thought Esther's writing was brilliant and thought the story had great depth.”

Mr Matthew Thompson, principal at Launceston College said: “We’re incredibly proud of Esther and all the students who entered the competition. To see our young writers being recognised for their creativity and insight is inspiring. Opportunities like these help build confidence and show just how powerful student voices can be.”