Alnwick Story Fest 2025 Winners!

At Alnwick Story Fest, we believe in the power of words—not just to entertain, but to heal, inspire, and connect. Some stories make us laugh, others move us to tears, but the most powerful ones dare to tell the truth, no matter how raw or difficult.

That is why we are incredibly proud to present the Allyson Kent Award for Fearless Writing, an annual prize created in memory of Allyson Kent, a writer who embodied courage, honesty, and the unwavering belief that words matter.

Who Was Allyson Kent?

Allyson was with us at last year’s festival, and her presence left an unforgettable impact. Through her own cancer journey, she wrote fearlessly about life, death, surviving, and thriving, refusing to let illness define her. Even in hospital, she turned to writing to process her experiences, share her story, and inspire others.

But Allyson wasn’t just a writer—she was a fighter, a fundraiser, and an advocate for cancer patients, working tirelessly to improve the care and support available to others. Her legacy is one of strength, storytelling, and an unshakable belief in the power of words.

This award is a tribute to her—encouraging writers to be bold, to be real, and to write without fear.

This year, we were blown away by the depth, honesty, and sheer power of the submissions. Each of these writers has embraced Allyson’s fearless spirit, turning personal experiences into compelling, unforgettable stories.

🏅 Paul Jackson – for his powerful piece using the imagery of a loaded gun when facing life-changing illness.

🏅 Sue Reed – for her moving and rhythmic piece about rushing home to see her mother on her deathbed—a story where honesty and authenticity shone through.

🏅 Jane Duncan Jones – for her pithy, poignant account of losing her husband to cancer and finding the courage to live on.

🥈 Runner-up: Katherine Kowalski – for her breathtaking and powerful piece about giving birth to her disabled child, a story that stayed with us long after reading.

🏆 Winner: Elaine Gregerson – for her heart-wrenching yet joyful piece about a visit to the theatre juxtaposed with losing a child—a submission that moved us all, chosen unanimously by the judges.

The winning and shortlisted writers will receive:

📢 Publication on the Alnwick Story Fest Substack and promotion across our social media.

🎁 A curated prize package, including:
✅ Tickets to author events at Alnwick Story Fest 2025.
✅ A collection of Beth Kempton’s books, including The Way of the Fearless Writer.
✅ 6 months’ membership to Suzy’s Heart Leap Substack (writing hours & masterclasses).
✅ 6 months’ membership to Juliet’s Curious Creative Club.
✅ A bespoke silver pendant or keyring engraved with Fearless Writer by Pippi Silver.
✅ A Yes I Can mug and pen, supporting Allyson’s charity.

This year’s panel of judges brought together some of the most passionate and experienced champions of storytelling:

📖 Suzy Walker (Alnwick Story Fest)
📖 Juliet Thomas (The Curious Creative Club)
📖 Robin de Rosario

Each judge was deeply moved by the submissions, making the final selection an emotional and inspiring process.

This award is made possible thanks to the support of our amazing partners:

✅ Alnwick Story Fest
✅ Dove House Hospice
✅ Yes I Can Charity
✅ Heart Leap
✅ The Curious Creative Club

Together, we are keeping Allyson’s legacy alive, celebrating fearless storytelling, and encouraging writers to be brave, bold, and brilliantly authentic.

To everyone who submitted their work, thank you. Your words matter, your stories deserve to be told, and your courage in sharing them is exactly what this award stands for.