The University of Liverpool, in partnership with Liverpool ONE, is delighted to announce the winners of the annual Liverpool Literary Festival short story competition.
The Liverpool Literary Festival (Friday 17 to Sunday 19 October 2025) is a well-established fixture in the city's vibrant cultural calendar, and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Selected by a panel including the Liverpool Literary Festival Director, Professor Greg Lynall, and Colm Tóibín Lecturer in Creative Writing, Dr Danny O'Connor, all entrants have written a short story of no longer than 1,500 words on the theme, 'anniversaries'.
On Sunday 19 October, 10am, the winners and runners up of the writing competition will read extracts from their work at an exclusive event at the Liverpool Literary Festival.
The winners are:
- University of Liverpool staff winner: Beata McMahon (Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology)
- University of Liverpool postgraduate student winner: Georgina Marsay (MA Creative & Critical Writing)
- University of Liverpool undergraduate student winner: Jasmine Lawrence (BA Film Studies and English)
The runners up are:
- University of Liverpool staff runner up: James Aust (School of Allied Health Professionals and Nursing)
- University of Liverpool postgraduate student runner up: Rosie Harris Jones (MA English Literature)
- University of Liverpool undergraduate student runner up: Kathryn Allison (BA English)
Winners in the undergraduate and postgraduate categories will receive a £100 Liverpool ONE voucher and runners up in these categories will receive a £50 voucher. Both winners and runners up in all categories will also have their work published in an online Liverpool Literary Festival anthology.
Festival Director and Head of English at the University of Liverpool, Professor Greg Lynall said: "The theme of 'anniversaries' inspired some brilliant stories, with the calibre of entries particularly strong this year. In settings ranging from the first supernova to a conversation in a supermarket toilet, the stories reveal the unexpected ways that memories shape us."
Donna Howitt, Deputy Centre Director at Liverpool ONE, said: "At Liverpool ONE, we're passionate about championing culture and giving local talent a platform to be celebrated. The short story competition is a wonderful way to celebrate new voices and nurture local talent, especially in such a landmark year for the Festival.
"We can't wait to see the entries from local schools across the region. Congratulations to all the winners and runners up across the University on their inspiring work."
Taking place at the heart of the University of Liverpool's campus in the iconic Victoria Gallery & Museum, the festival brings together bestselling authors for a weekend of inspiring conversation, readings, and a shared love of literature.
A separate short story competition for local schools - also in partnership with Liverpool ONE - is now open, with a closing date of Friday 19 December.
Professor Greg Lynall added: "As well as the writing competition, the Literary Festival has a fantastic line up this year. The Festival starts this week soliterary fest make sure you have a look at the programme and book your tickets."
Book your tickets for this year's festival here.
