15 year-old Brennig Davies from Wales won the first-ever BBC Young Writers’ Award with Book Trust for his story ‘Skinning’. I was totally bowled over by it. Even among a strong shortlist it stood out for its sheer confidence of style and subject. It had all the judges (Alice Levine, Samantha Shannon and me) gripped. When we heard he was only fourteen when he wrote the story our jaws collectively dropped. I hadn’t dared expect to read something this strong. He’s good enough to be published now, and – not that I am entirely sure he needs it – I am really looking forward to mentoring him. Brennig had his story broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on Huw Stephens’ show by Sir Ian McKellen.
