A talented writer from Arbroath has penned herself a huge success story after an award winning children’s author judged her work as ‘perfect.’
Samantha McLaren, aged 16, received the high praise from author Michelle Harrison and has won a prestigious short story competition from leading pen manufacturer uni-ball.
The competition celebrated the importance of good handwriting skills. Budding young authors were given the chance to showcase their talents by continuing an introduction specially penned for the competition by Michelle.
Samantha, who beat scores of other students across the UK to win the accolade, now hopes to forge a lengthy literary career for herself on the back of her success. She said: “I am thrilled to have won this competition. It is an honour to be given such praise by a leading author.”
Samantha’s winning creation is an imaginative story about a man named Luke Buckley and the complicated situation he finds himself in after witnessing a murder.
Michelle, 2009 winner of the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, said: “I think Samantha has the makings of a very talented writer. She fulfilled the brief perfectly and I was immediately hooked when her words took over. I stayed hooked throughout due to her ideas, her writing style, her language, everything. My only complaint is that now I want to know all about Luke Buckley!”
Samantha’s creativity was awarded with the prize of £150 Waterstone’s voucher, a signed copy of Michelle Harrison’s debut book ‘The Thirteen Treasures,’ and a bumper stationary pack.
Marketing Manager at uni-ball, Stuart Barker, said: “Congratulations to Samantha on winning the competition with this story. Her entry clearly showed that she has a real talent for writing and we hope she uses her new stationery to pen many more imaginative tales.”
To find out more about uni-ball visit www.uniball.co.uk
ENDS
Issued on behalf of uni-ball by Connect PR
For further information, please contact: Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com
Showing posts with label short story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label short story. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
A SHORT STORY SUMMER CHALLENGE
Award winning writer, Michelle Harrison is encouraging children to keep the art of handwriting alive this summer.
The winner of the 2009 Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize has teamed up with leading stationery brand uni-ball to offer budding authors the chance to complete a short story that opens with a specially penned introduction:
I only found out by accident. Ever since, I’ve been on edge. Waiting. A bit like when there’s a sluggish day in the summer: grey, too warm, airless, and the only thing that will clear the atmosphere is a good storm.
Half of the problem is what I know, and the other half is how I know it. I wasn’t supposed to find out – because I shouldn’t have been there. Now I don’t know what to do or how to act. I’ve never been much good at pretending.
Whatever I do, I need to think fast. I can hear footsteps on the stairs and I’m pretty sure I know who it is. Do they know that I know? Something tells me I’m about to find out . . .
The competition, open to children under the age of 16, not only keeps them busy during the school summer holidays, but it also follows the National Curriculum to serve as preparation for the back to school period.
Stuart Barker, marketing manager at uni-ball, said: "As soon as we read Michelle's opening paragraph, we wanted to find out more. This competition provides children with a wonderful opportunity to finish the story and be credited alongside one of the country's brightest authors.
"To survive going back to school children need to exercise their minds during long periods of leave. We look forward to reading interpretations of Michelle's work and wish all the entrants the very best of luck."
Details on how to enter can be seen by visiting www.writeasummerstory.blogspot.com. The deadline for entries will be September 25 2009. Prizes up for grabs include a signed copy of Michelle’s book Thirteen Treasures, Waterstone’s vouchers up to the value of £150 and back to school stationery kits.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Mitsubishi Pencil Co. by Connect PR
For further information, please contact: Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com.
The winner of the 2009 Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize has teamed up with leading stationery brand uni-ball to offer budding authors the chance to complete a short story that opens with a specially penned introduction:
I only found out by accident. Ever since, I’ve been on edge. Waiting. A bit like when there’s a sluggish day in the summer: grey, too warm, airless, and the only thing that will clear the atmosphere is a good storm.
Half of the problem is what I know, and the other half is how I know it. I wasn’t supposed to find out – because I shouldn’t have been there. Now I don’t know what to do or how to act. I’ve never been much good at pretending.
Whatever I do, I need to think fast. I can hear footsteps on the stairs and I’m pretty sure I know who it is. Do they know that I know? Something tells me I’m about to find out . . .
The competition, open to children under the age of 16, not only keeps them busy during the school summer holidays, but it also follows the National Curriculum to serve as preparation for the back to school period.
Stuart Barker, marketing manager at uni-ball, said: "As soon as we read Michelle's opening paragraph, we wanted to find out more. This competition provides children with a wonderful opportunity to finish the story and be credited alongside one of the country's brightest authors.
"To survive going back to school children need to exercise their minds during long periods of leave. We look forward to reading interpretations of Michelle's work and wish all the entrants the very best of luck."
Details on how to enter can be seen by visiting www.writeasummerstory.blogspot.com. The deadline for entries will be September 25 2009. Prizes up for grabs include a signed copy of Michelle’s book Thirteen Treasures, Waterstone’s vouchers up to the value of £150 and back to school stationery kits.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Mitsubishi Pencil Co. by Connect PR
For further information, please contact: Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com.
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