March winners 2025 – young writers

In March, we asked for stories featuring a bookcase.

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

Young writers (12–18) winner

Anna Elizabeth, 15

Trailing over their aged spines, my fingertips coat in dust. A leather-bound journal catches my eyes. I pause, pull it from the bookshelf. Books cascade into the gap it leaves.

I flip the cover, a chill ripples through my body. “Sorry,” I mutter. The library ghost could be very private.

Young writers (5–11) winner

Claire Zhao, 11

old scents

wood frayed

spines

open books

dog-eared page

new chapter

piles of colour

stacked

fantasy

dust coating

the shelves

old memories

beneath

old webs

hang

corners

embellished

with floral patterns

tales

of fantasy

clouds of sleep

the bookcase

holds

treasure

healing words enclosed

special medicine

for a long day