Adult creative writing competition

Hansel and Gretel — Beyond the fairy tale

Read here the 12 shortlisted stories in the Hansel and Gretel adult writing. competition held in late 2012.

The standard of the shortlisted stories was been described as 'exceptional' by the books editor of 'The Scotsman' newspaper, David Robinson.

Caroline von
Schmalensee.

Judges selected Caroline von Schmalensee as the overall winner out of 92 entries. 'The Scotsman' newspaper published Caroline's story on January 26.

The shortlisted stories

• 'In Woodsmore Village', by Caroline von Schmalensee — winning entry
• 'Hansel and Gretel', by Karen Fox-Edwards
• 'Silent village', by Vivien Jones
• 'Ginger and icing sugar', by Lesley Kelly
• 'The last two', by Hannah Lavery
• 'Hamish and Grace' by Euan MacInnes
• 'The dark place', by Vicky Mackenzie
• 'Breached' by Shirley McKendry
• 'The forest of the Soap King', by Donald S Murray
• 'Hansel and Gretel', by Marka Rifat
• 'Hansel and Gretel', by Anne Stormont
• 'Candles in shadows', by Joshua Turner

Inspiration for a ballet

A collaborative venture between the National Library of Scotland and Scottish Ballet, the competition was designed to explore new ideas around the timeless tale of Hansel and Gretel.

Ideas from the stories will be used by Scottish Ballet to develop a new production of 'Hansel and Gretel' which will be premiered later this year.

All the shortlisted finalists took part in a writing masterclass at NLS with Scots author Louise Welsh on 1 February. Read more in our archived news story about the competition results.

A writing competition for primary schools ran alongside the adult competition.

Hansel and Gretel competitions page