Queen’s School pupil Louisa Cowell shortlisted for Wicked Young Writers’ award

Dec 8 2011 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

A YOUNG writer from Chester has been shortlisted for the Wicked Young Writers’ Award, which will be announced today (Thursday).

Louisa Cowell, a 13-year old pupil at The Queen’s School, is one of 100 people in with a chance to win the award which recognises excellence in young people between five and 25.

Her story Remembering was described by author and judge Michael Morpurgo as ‘a really fine piece of writing.’

He added: “Louisa’s entry was direct, tender and attentive to the world, where something witnessed takes the narrator back to a painful and long-forgotten memory.”

The shortlisted entries, in the second year of the award, included stories and poems on subjects including terrorism, travel, war, family break-up, school, old-age, teenagers, love and friendship.

The winners will be announced at a showcase event at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, home of award-winning musical Wicked.

The other judges are authors William Fiennes and Michael McCabe, executive production of Wicked.

Each of the 100 finalist entries will be published in an anthology, sponsored by publisher Headline.