Lauren Layfield presents this year's special showcase of the five shortlisted stories for the 2025 BBC Young Writers' Award.

Alongside the 20th anniversary of the National Short Story Award, this year's BBC Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University is open to all writers between the ages of 14 –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. The winner receives a personalised mentoring session with an author to enhance their writing skills.

Listen now to the whole 2025 BBC Young Writers’ Award shortlist.

Podcast produced by Ellie Marsh and Bethany Woodhead

Have you got a story tell? Submissions will open again in the new year for the 2026 Award - keep a look out!