Oxfordshire Libraries short stories - This year’s winners are…
Congratulations to the winners of the Oxfordshire Libraries short story competition 2026!
All the winning stories are available to borrow as an eBook (eAudiobook coming soon) from the Oxfordshire Libraries Libby app and Overdrive collection: https://oxfordshire.overdrive.com/
Ella Uglow won the children’s category with ‘I Only Wanted Ice Cream’ - A shopping trip for ice cream takes an unexpected detour into a winter wonderland.
Ella said: “I felt very excited to find out I'd won the competition - it was quite surreal! It feels nice that my story will be shared with other children in Oxfordshire. Thank you!”
Pepper Thomasina won the young adult category with ‘The Willow by the Lake’ - A naiad and a dryad fall deeply in love among trees and lakes. But when humans enter their natural world, is love strong enough to keep them safe?
Pepper said: “I was in total shock (I still am to be honest!). Nothing will ever compare to the feeling of being told that you're good at what you love. Stories have always been such a comfort to me, and it makes me so indescribably happy that my story has brought joy to others."
Kita Mitchell won the adult category with the story ‘What We Cover Up’ - Tanya and Sandra have been best friends for thirty years. They bicker but would help each other cover up murder. Which is lucky, because there’s a body in Sandra’s garage.
Kita said: “I was delighted to hear that ‘What We Cover Up’ had won the Oxfordshire Libraries Short Story Competition. I’ve not written anything for adults before, so it meant a lot, and it’s especially nice that the recognition comes from libraries, which are such important places for so many people. I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.”
We had a fantastic response from writers sending in their stories so thank you to everyone who entered and to all who promoted the competition to their students.
The competition highlights the fantastic writing talent across Oxfordshire and encourages new writers to share their ideas and creativity.