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September 2023 winners – young writers

In our September competition, we asked for stories featuring a butterfly.

Congratulations to the winners of our September competition. Feeling inspired? Have a go at this month's prompt(this link will open in a new window).

Young writers (12–18) winner

Alyssa Lavelle

Butterflies are flying through my stomach more than ever before.

"Come on, Alyssa!" I hear people shouting. I've got to do this.

"On your marks!" You'll be fine, Alyssa.

"Get set," Just breathe.

"GO!" And I'm off. Every voice sounds like an echo now. Why was I so worried?

Young writers (5–11) winner

Amber XinTi Wang, age 10

An after-vision of heat lifting off of the stagnant puddles, Rain thought. It was quite impossible. Yet there it was: flushed, fluttering, wings wide angled like an open book, patterns flagrant and swirling, a mask never lifted. It was a butterfly. And she had thought she had exterminated them all.