About the Inklings Book Contest
Each year, the Inklings Book Contest celebrates youth writers in grades 3–12. Winners revise their stories with a professional mentor and are published in our annual anthology. Finalists receive editorial letters with revision guidance and are featured on our Inkwell platform.
This post offers a sneak peek at several finalist pieces. Click through to read each story on the Inkwell, where young writers are encouraged to share their voices and connect through storytelling.
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Inklings Book 2025 Finalist Spotlight
Chapter Seven: Unique Voices
The stories in this seventh and final chapter of our Inklings Book 2025 Finalist Spotlight are brought to life by the voices of the writers shining through. These youth writers intricately curated the diction and narration style of their work. Whether they were creating a spooky scene, describing a magical world, or detailing a heist plan, these three youth writers have inspired us with their voices.
The Lake
by Amelia Campbell-Mills
(6th grade)
“Buzzzzzzzz” the cell phone illuminated the eerie water, startling small fish dwelling in the lake.
The fish seemed to be gathered around a strange silhouette that could barely be made out through the thick vegetation. The blue light from the phone weaved through the water, the water that in better lighting had uncovered a dark, crimson red color. Upon closer inspection, the edges of the silhouette appeared to be almost human-like. They were similar enough to be made out but the misshapenness of the form seemed to resemble that of a children’s drawing. But why would someone be in a lake?
The phone stopped buzzing and instead let out a cheerful ding, much in contrast to the atmosphere of the lake. Then began a reciting of a voice message left by the caller.
Magicia
by Sadie Giessner
(10th grade)
Magicia.
That place we went during recess, or in the backyard, or lying on our beds in the hot summer. The place where friends laugh and share secrets and dreams. The place where those dreams—poof—become real.
At least, some dreams do.
“I want to ride a pink pony!” my sister Kacy laughed, and with a whoosh of sparkles, one appeared in front of her.
Her eyes glowed and she leapt onto it, a shiver running down my spine as its pink hooves thundered by me. I cheered and she cantered away, practically flying atop the pink blur.
“Vrmmmm, vrmm, vrmm, vrmm!” Alex steered his arms crazily and a mini race car appeared around him.
Shimmery dust flew out behind the car, and I could almost imagine it were me in the driver’s seat, wind whipping through my long, black hair.
Faster, faster, faster.
He circled us, his rearview mirrors passing through the trees and school swing set, taking impossibly tight turns that made me clench my hands together but laugh.
“Ellie, what do you want?” My friend Josy walked over arm-in-arm with… I blinked the sun out of my eyes, but it wasn’t a trick of the light. An enormous stuffed panda padded behind her, murmuring about the pleasant weather.
Unwritten
by Gisele Urquilla
(11th grade)
Charlotte knew stealing was wrong. The uneven cobblestones that rattled the carriage seemed to disapprove as well as they jerked her back into her seat with not an ounce of tact. And no matter how many times she reminded herself that it was for a good cause, Ms.Clifton’s stolen invitation still felt heavier than a small paper should. She traced the gold lettering.
“By Order of the Crown
You are cordially invited to the palace’s annual Saint Martin’s feast
Full evening wear and masks are required.
We await your presence,
By command of the crown”
She closed her eyes, letting the lines of the grand palace map draw itself in her mind. It only took her five rewinds and re-reads to fully memorize the words. Never mind she had to nick it each time from the decorated captain that lived on Thames Street.
This has to go perfectly, she thought, fidgeting with the crown of her pocket watch.
Just one click and it would send her back.
Yeah, return to an hour ago. Then the world would still end at midnight, that annoying voice in her mind countered.
