Palmer's College student sees her short story published

A PALMER’S College student who dreams of becoming a writer has seen her short story published after winning one of the prizes in The Guardian’s Teenage Writer’s competition.

Holly Burton, 16, from Basildon, entered the national competition last year along with thousands of other young writers in the UK.

She found out that she had won one of 10 prizes during the summer, and the book “The Perfect World?” which features her short story was published last month.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma student will attend the book launch party in the New Year where she will meet TV new presenter Jon Snow, representatives from the Guardian and the publishers.

The theme of the competition was ‘A Perfect World’.

Holly’s short story was about someone growing up in a society where children were no longer conceived naturally.

She said: “I just thought of the idea and began to start writing and couldn’t stop.

“This is the first time I’ve entered a writing competition and to win feels amazing.”

Mark Vinall, Principal of Palmer’s College said: “I am thrilled with Holly’s achievement.

“She is fully committed to her studies and I have every confidence of her fulfilling her dreams of becoming a writer.”