Shetland Library Young Writer Competition
The Young Shetland Writer award is run annually by Shetland Library. There are three catagories: age 7 - 9, age 10 - 12 and age 13 - 18. An additional prize for best piece of writing in the Shetland dialect is also awarded. It is open to all young people in Shetland, and is publicised through schools and the public library.
The winners of Shetland Library’s Young Shetland Writer 2024 competition were revealed at a prize-giving event held on Friday 27 September at Shetland Library. This year’s theme, A Better World, inspired 208 entries from young writers across Shetland. Winners were chosen by local authors and literature enthusiasts James Sinclair, Jim Mainland, and Mary Blance.
- 7 to 9 years: Megan Manson from Cunningsburgh
- 10 to 12 years: Isobel Pagulayan from Lerwick
- 10 to 12 years dialect: Cora Grant from Lerwick. Cora has now won three times.
- 13 to 18 years: Ava Paton from Voe, winning for the second year in a row.
- 13 to 18 years dialect winner: Maisy Nicolson from Brae High School.
The competition is supported by the Educational Institute of Scotland, providing £50 prizes for category winners, and Shetland ForWirds, awarding £50 to each dialect winner.
Congratulations to all who entered and we will be releasing the 2025 theme at the end of January 2025.