A teenage crime writer from the West Midlands has won the National Young Crime Writers' Competition. Organised by the Crime Writers' Association (CWA), which represents the interests of published crime writers, and library authorities nationwide, the competition invited writers aged up to 18 to submit 1000 words of crime fiction.
More than 600 stories were received from all over the country. The eventual winner, chosen by outgoing CWA Chair, Margaret Murphy, and Laura Wilson, Guardian reviewer and winner of the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award, is Nicole Hendry, age 15, of Sutton Coldfield, with 'The Demolition of Lives'. The judges praised her story as 'daring and effective - a convincing emotional journey with a sympathetic protagonist, good motivation and a clever plot.'
The highly commended writer is Lara Denaro, age 16, of Teddington, London, with 'The Phone Box'.
The shortlist was:
Cumbria – Kate Moloney, age 15, Penrith, 'A Darkening Stain of Crimson'
North East England – James Roachford, age 11, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, 'Mugging Diaries'
South Wales – Aled Richards, age 14, Ammanford, 'Hidden Lives'
Yorkshire – Jack Smith age 9, Holmfirth, 'A Bad Holiday'
Bristol & South Glos – Nicole Wootton-Cane, age 11, Bristol, 'Young and Ferocious'
Staffordshire – Maya Whatton, age 16, Burton-on-Trent, 'Happiness'
Greater Manchester – Deborah Nesbitt, age 17, Manchester 'High Jinks'
Isle of Man – Alison Ogden, age 14, Douglas, IOM, 'Dead End'
Stockport and Cheshire – Jake Finney, age 12, Stockport, 'Alabama Slammer'
Chiltern Triangle – Samantha Flint, age 14 & Irene Trench Vidale, age 14, Crowthorne, 'Death, Lies, Betrayal'
South Coast & Isle of Wight – Natasha White, age 13, Steyning, 'Anything for Money'
Devon – Betony Brock, age 15, Winkleigh, 'And Finally...'
The first prize is a weekend pass for the winner and one companion to the crime writing festival CrimeFest in 2011, including tickets to the Gala Dinner. This has been donated by the organisers of CrimeFest. The national winner will also get a selection of signed crime novels and a uniquely engraved pen.
CWA Chair Tom Harper said: "We have been really impressed with the way the first competition has gone; the future of crime writing is in good hands. We have already agreed to run the competition again next year."
This announcement is being made during the CWA's first National Crime Fiction Week, June 14th-20th. For a list of events in your area, please visit: www.crimefictionweek.co.uk
