As the winner of the 2025 WriteMentor Awards Children’s Fiction category, Claire Lomas shares her experience and writing advice
How did you feel when you found out you won the Children’s Fiction category?
I was genuinely shocked! I was convinced that it was a mistake! It has been strange to suddenly be the focus of attention when the results were announced – I am usually just working away on my writing, looking at other peoples’ successes from afar, so it feels very weird!
How did you celebrate?
Gin and tears (standard Monday ;)).
Tell us a bit about your writing journey to date.
I have been writing for a long time – I have a degree in English Lit and studied Creative Writing with the Open University – but I have started to take my writing seriously in the last five years or so. I studied with Golden Egg Academy, and have slowly started to have some competition shortlistings. I am currently being mentored on a YA book by Melinda Salisbury, which is just fabulous.
Tell us more about the winning book.
On the surface it’s a simple story about some children who stop a tree from being cut down. Dara is a ‘good girl’ until the world makes her question what she is prepared to accept. I wanted to explore ideas around protest and activism, creativity and bravery, nature and home, so I hope there are a few layers that a reader can engage with.
On the surface it’s a simple story about some children who stop a tree from being cut down. Dara is a ‘good girl’ until the world makes her question what she is prepared to accept. I wanted to explore ideas around protest and activism, creativity and bravery, nature and home, so I hope there are a few layers that a reader can engage with.
What inspired the idea?
It was a strange experience really – it kind of popped up fully formed, in a way that has never happened before or since! I finished the first draft in a month, but I think it had been percolating in my subconscious for a long time – climate anxiety, nostalgia for art classes and inspirational art teachers, love of nature and the special importance of grandparents. It’s all in there.
What was the WriteMentor Award experience like for you, as an entrant?
This competition is wonderful. I love that it is judged anonymously, and on the full manuscript. The communications are framed so supportively – the competition is really mindful of writers’ mental health.
This competition is wonderful. I love that it is judged anonymously, and on the full manuscript. The communications are framed so supportively – the competition is really mindful of writers’ mental health.
What advice would you give other writers when entering writing awards in the future?
Honestly, just go for it! Edit it, send it and then forget it! No-one has to even know if you don’t place, right? I never thought I would win in a million years! What do you have to lose?!
Any general writing advice for writers of children’s fiction?
The thought of me giving writing advice is hilarious! I have two thoughts though. A mindshift that had the most liberating effect on my writing was giving myself permission to DO IT REALLY BADLY! Get it on the page and then make it better. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back! The second thing is: find your tribe. The best thing about this life is the writing friends I have made. They totally understand my writing joys and woes, and are stone cold legends. I absolutely couldn’t do it without them.
What’s next for your writing? Any new projects on the horizon?
As I mentioned above, I’m just heading into edits on a romantic eco-thriller YA novel. Funnily enough, it explores similar themes to I Still Stand, but taken to a somewhat darker level! I’m interested in the limits of protest and resistance, and I wanted to have a go at a love story! I also have another Middle Grade book in the pipeline! Would love to find representation along the way…if it’s in the stars, that would be perfect!