An East Lancashire teen has been shortlisted for a BBC award which celebrates the work of budding young writers.
Nabiha Ali, from Burnley, has been shortlisted for the 2022 BBC Young Writers’ Award, held in partnership with Cambridge University.
Her story is called ‘Dandelions’ and has been praised by judges for being a ‘quietly beautiful’ story that is optimistic and light.
The protagonist reflects on the memory of small moments spent with a man she’s close to, and how novelty and significance can be found in the simplest of experiences.
Inspired by Frank O’Hara’s poem, ‘Having a Coke with You’, its vivid descriptions read like a ‘story in every sentence’; even more impressive given that Nabiha wrote it the day before the submission deadline in place of the original story she had planned to submit.
When Nabiha is not writing, she enjoys leisurely walks and dabbling in watercolour painting.
This summer, she has been volunteering at Burnley Youth Theatre as she enjoys promoting art and literature.
She enjoys reading a wide variety of classics – George Eliot’s 'The Mill on The Floss', Angela Carter’s 'The Bloody Chamber' and Agatha Christie’s 'And Then There Were None', to name just a few.
She also likes to read more contemporary works from The New Yorker.
She often gets ideas late at night or early in the morning which she jots down on paper to type up later, and has previously been shortlisted in writing competitions for her poetry.
The stories in the competition, though diverse in setting, character and voice, all explore relationships, love and intimacy in varying forms.
Whether it be an urban gothic vampire tale that explores the lengths a daughter would go to support her ill mother, or a unique gender-defying wartime story about new friendship, each story captures a precise world in under 1,000 words.
Now in its eighth year, the BBC Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University 2022 is open to all writers between the ages of 14 to 18 and was created to discover and inspire the next generation of writers. It is a cross-network collaboration between BBC Radio 4 and Radio 1.
Katie Thistleton, chair of the 2022 BBC Young Writers’ Award judging panel, said: “What a year of exceptional entries.
“It has been an absolute privilege to read so many bold, and yet quietly intimate, stories of such astonishing quality.
“Relationships seem to be a real focus for our shortlisted writers this year and yet each has found a totally unique and original, sometimes subversive, way to explore the subject, whether drawing on lived experience, or subjects they are passionate about.
“I’m in awe, and I know my fellow judges feel the same. Each and every writer on this list has a brilliant writing future ahead of them and I can’t wait to see what they do next.”
Kate is joined on the judging panel by author and co-founder of Black Girls’ Book Club, Melissa Cummings-Quarry; poet Nikita Gill; YouTuber and digital creator, Joel Rochester; and Irish novelist and podcaster Caroline O’Donoghue.
Nikita Gill, judge for 2022 BBC Young Writers’ Award, said: “These stories are tales so rich in imagery, lyrical words and with such unique plots!
“I feel honoured to have read through these truly exceptional stories and would like to commend all the writers for the way they have handled even the most difficult subject matter with nuance and great care.
“The quality of this year's entries is beyond brilliant and I look forward to seeing these writers continue to thrive in their excellent work!"
The five shortlisted stories, each under 1,000 words, will be read by Sophie McShera (Downton Abbey), Maimuna Memon (co-founder of Wildcard Theatre Company), Callie Cooke (Disney+’s Wedding Season), Abbie Andrews (Watch Dogs Legion) and Elizabeth Green (ALRA South 2022 graduate).
Dr Bonnie Lander Johnson, fellow, lecturer and director of studies at Cambridge University said:
“The BBC Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University continues to highlight brilliant prose from emerging writers.
“Urgently relevant, thoughtful and funny, these pieces will surprise and entertain.
“A changing world needs stories more than ever: we encourage all budding writers, regardless of their background, to share with us their vision of the world we all live in.
“We encourage all readers, regardless of their age, to sit down and enjoy the craft of these young people.”
The winner will be announced live from the award ceremony at BBC Broadcasting House on Radio 4’s Front Row on Tuesday, October 4.
The shortlisted stories can be read and listened to on the BBC Radio 1 Website.
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