New generation authors pen their way to victory

The winning young authors with their Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition trophies.

A new generation of writers took their first steps on their writing journeys on Saturday at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. The winning short story entries for the Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition 2017 were announced and winners received trophies and a commemorative dual-language book containing the winning stories.
Presenting the awards at the ceremony were festival favourites, Lebanese children's author Sahar Naja Mahfouz and previous winner of the Montegrappa Writing Prize and author of the Unicorn in New York series, Rachel Hamilton.
The theme for the competition this year was 'Journeys', explored by the contestants through their stories in both Arabic and English. This year, more than 2,200 submissions were received, making 2017 the competition's most successful edition. Competition judges this year included festival authors Maitha Al Khayat and April Hardy.
Julie Till, head of business development, Central Asia, Middle East & North Africa, Oxford University Press, said: "The competition is a wonderful challenge that showcases the extraordinary talents on display. Each year, the creativity of the stories surpasses the years prior.
"With imaginations like this, you can tell that these young people have incredible futures ahead. Oxford University Press appreciates the opportunity to work together with the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature to propel the literary interests of the students of the UAE."
The winners are ...
> 11 & under age group:
1. Gautam Nambiar
2. Shreya Kopuri
3. Morgan Dean
> 12-14 age group:
1. Sofya Yaritsyna
2. Sebastiaan van der Boom
3. Gianna Elizabeth Mathew
> 15-17 age group:
1. Rameen Aslam
2. Nikhil Abhayan Pillai
3. Caitlin Adonis
> 18-25 age group:
1. Ashisha Ann Itty
2. Haleema Adi
3. Salma Abdussalam
reporters@khaleejtimes.com