April winners 2025 – adult writers

Congratulations to the winners of our April competition. Feeling inspired? Have a go at this month's prompt.

Adult winner

Sarah Conway

“Ufft, your generation ur right about the cost o’ livin’ crisis. In ma day, a pencil cost sixpence.”

“Aye, Gran, but it’s a special wan. Goes wi’ ma iPad.”

“If the pencil cost a hundred and thirty, much wiz the pad? Ocht, look, ye cannae even sharpen – ”

“Naw, Gran!”

Gaelic winner

Joyce MacDonald

Bhioraich e pìos goirid tiugh peansail nan saor le sgian anns a làmhan seasmhach. Sgrìob e gach taobh turas, gu sgiobalta, gus an do nochd an luaidh. "Ist, tha barrachd ann. Feumaidh tu feuchainn a bheil barrachd ann, m'eudail," 's cha do dhìochuimhnich mi fhaclan gus an là an-diugh.

Translation by The Gaelic Books Council

He sharpened a short, thick piece of carpentry pencil with a knife in his steady hands. He scraped each side once, quickly, until the lead appeared. “Ah, but there’s more. You have to check if there’s more, my dear,” and I haven’t forgotten his words to this day.