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Tabitha Rubens wins 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers’ Award 2021

Super-Powder (91Èȱ¬ YWA Winner 2021)

By Tabitha Rubens, 19, from London. Read by Rebekah Murrell; Produced by Elizabeth Allard

Tabitha Rubens, 19, from London, has won the 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers’ Award 2021 with Cambridge University for ‘Super-Powder’, a story written during the winter lockdown when young people were struggling with their mental health and self-esteem.

Talking about her story and why she wrote it, Tabitha said:

“I wrote ‘Super-Powder’ in April, after the winter lockdown. Mental health in the UK, particularly amongst young people, has been steadily worsening for some time. During the pandemic, when there were few ways for those struggling to seek help, the situation was only exacerbated, with devastating effects for self-esteem and well-being. Seeing how this affected my friends and family, I wanted to write a story that emphasised the baselessness of most insecurities. Many people make a lot of money from exploiting these insecurities and promoting unrealistic and constantly changing ideals. I also wanted to play around with the structure of the story to underpin the theme. The words move around on the page so that the reader has to shift their gaze to follow them. I wanted to try not only to make the story more engaging to read, but also to mirror the way your attention is manipulated on social media platforms, including by targeted adverts.”

Currently studying Chinese at the University of Cambridge, Tabitha was previously shortlisted for the Award in 2018. She also won the HG Wells International Short Story Competition in 2020.

Commenting on Tabitha’s win Mercury Prize winner and YWA 2021 judge, Arlo Parks said:

“What I love about ‘Super-Powder’ is its spirit of adventure, it’s sharp, it’s slightly surreal and the writer’s voice is absolutely original. I see a bright future ahead.”

Fellow judge, award-winning writer, Louise O’Neill said:

“I was so impressed by the quality of the shortlist for the Young Writers’ Award – the incredible skill displayed belied their youth – and I’m excited to see the work they produce in the future. ‘Super-Powder’ stood out from my very first reading. It was fresh, original, and confident, and evoked so much in a couple of sentences – something many established writers still strive to achieve! Tabitha is a serious talent and I’m delighted that this is our winning story.’

Katie Thistleton, 91Èȱ¬ Radio 1 presenter and Chair of Judges for 91Èȱ¬ YWA 2021 said:

“Tabitha’s story really stayed with me. It’s clever, original, and memorable with an important message. When you’re reading it, you can completely visualise what is happening which is so difficult to achieve. I was awestruck by the writer's abilities, and I’m so pleased all the judges agreed that Tabitha should be our well-deserving winner. I want to read more from this exciting new talent!”

‘Super-Powder’ is available to listen to online alongside the four shortlisted stories - ‘Fatigued’ by Luca-Anderson-Muller, 18 from Belfast, ‘Another Boring Friday Night’ by Isabella Yeo Frank, 18 from London, ‘Blood and Water’ by Eleanor Ware, 17 from Bedfordshire, and ‘Pomodoro (and Nasturtium Seeds)’ by Madeleine Whitmore, 16 from Bath. Listen to the stories plus an interview with each writer here.

Tabitha will be interviewed about her win on Radio 1’s Life Hacks on Sunday 24th October, and will be mentored by acclaimed Irish author and 91Èȱ¬ YWA judge, Louise O’Neill.

The 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University was launched as part of the tenth anniversary celebrations for the 91Èȱ¬ National Short Story Award and aims to inspire and encourage the next generation of writers. Previous winners are Brennig Davies (2015), Lizzie Freestone (2016), Elizabeth Ryder (2017), Davina Bacon (2018), Georgie Woodhead (2019) and Lottie Mills (2020).

Follow the 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers’ Award on Twitter via # # @

'Fatigued' by Luca Anderson-Muller

Fatigued (91Èȱ¬ YWA Shortlist 2021)

By Luca Anderson-Muller, 18, from Belfast

'Another Boring Friday Night' by Isabella Yeo Frank

Another Boring Friday Night (91Èȱ¬ YWA Shortlist 2021)

By Isabella Yeo Frank, 18, from London. Read by Abbie Andrews; Produced by Richard Woska.

Super-Powder (91Èȱ¬ YWA Winner 2021)

By Tabitha Rubens, 19, from London. Read by Rebekah Murrell; Produced by Elizabeth Allard

'Blood and Water' by Eleanor Ware

Blood and Water (91Èȱ¬ YWA Shortlist 2021)

By Eleanor Ware, 17, from Bedfordshire.

'Pomodoro (and Nasturtium Seeds)' by Madeleine Whitmore

Pomodoro (and Nasturtium Seeds) (91Èȱ¬ YWA Shortlist 2021)

By Madeleine Whitmore, 16, from Bath. Read by Katherine Press; Produced by Belinda Naylor

About the 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers' Award

Now in its seventh year, the 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University has built a reputation for discovering the literary stars of the future. Open to all writers between the age of 14-18 years at the time of entry, the Award is a cross-network collaboration between 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 and Radio 1.

Previous winners are Brennig Davies (2015), Lizzie Freestone (2016), Elizabeth Ryder (2017), Davina Bacon (2018), Georgie Woodhead (2019) and Lottie Mills (2020).

Need some inspiration?

The YWA shortlist

Meet our 2021 shortlisted young writers

Tabitha Rubens (91Èȱ¬ YWA Winner 2021)

Tabitha Rubens is 19 years old and lives in London. She was previously shortlisted for the 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers Award in 2018, which gave her confidence in her writing. In November 2020, she won the HG Wells International Short Story Competition and is a member of the National Youth Theatre and the European Youth Parliament, representing the UK at international forums. Tabitha is currently studying Chinese at the University of Cambridge and in the future would love to be an author and illustrator. She is passionate about using writing as a medium to discuss important issues, such as mental health and environmental protection, and getting young peoples' voices heard.

Luca Anderson-Muller

Luca Anderson-Muller is 18 years old and lives in Belfast. He grew up on a council estate in Woking with his Mum and younger brother before the family moved to Northern Ireland when he was eleven. He loves all forms of art, especially books and music and says that writing is the only thing he can do for hours at a time. He also loves to watch and play sport, especially football, and is a Chelsea fan since birth but has more recently started supporting his local team, Linfield F. C., too. He is passionate about social progress and acceptance especially the LGBTQ+ and BLM movements and is keen to promote an openness amongst young men to confront their emotions in order to tackle the effects of toxic masculinity on their mental health. Luca will begin his degree in English and Philosophy at university this autumn.

Isabella Yeo Frank

Isabella Yeo Frank is 18 years old and lives in London. In her spare time, she likes to read contemporary fiction, dystopias and satire, go out with friends, play the bass guitar, make jewellery, and upcycle clothes. She began writing more regularly as a way of processing her thoughts and emotions at the end of 2020, when she faced worries and concerns about what she wanted to do in the future. Before submitting her story to the 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers Award, she had never shown anyone her writing. Isabella will begin studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh this autumn and will continue to write.

Eleanor Ware

Eleanor Ware is 17 years old and lives in Bedfordshire. Other than writing, she enjoys walking her dogs and singing; and she is a member of her local archery club. She is also passionate about acting and the theatre, and her dream would be to work in television, either writing or on screen herself. She has always read before bed, even when she was little, and will read literally anything – from Agatha Christie and murder mysteries to adventure series or dystopias. Eleanor is in her final year of A Levels, studying English, History and Drama and is applying to do a degree in History at university next year.

Madeleine Whitmore

Madeleine Whitmore is 16 years old and lives in Bath. She loves reading, drawing and is a huge film nerd & Robin Williams fan! In the future she hopes to be a published poet or author, and to write and direct films. She likes to read modern fiction and poetry, and is inspired by writers including Savannah Brown, Kae Tempest and John Green, as well as singers like Kimya Dawson. Though she mainly writes poetry and spoken word, she has also written other short stories and a play that was longlisted for this year's National Theatre New Views competition. She finds that writing has really helped her mental health. She is currently in Sixth Form college, studying English Literature, Philosophy, Art and French.

The YWA Judges

Here's a bit more about this year's 91Èȱ¬ Young Writers' Award panel

Katie Thistleton (Chair)

Katie Thistleton is co-host of Radio 1's Life Hacks (Sundays 4-6pm) and The Official Chart: First Look on Radio 1 (Sundays 6-7pm). She is an avid writer and reader and literacy campaigner. Katie is passionate about raising mental health awareness and is an ambassador for children's mental health charities YoungMinds and Place2be.

During her time as presenter of 'the bits in between the shows' on C91Èȱ¬ for almost 6 years, Katie hosted The C91Èȱ¬ Book Club, where she interviewed authors such as Jacqueline Wilson, David Walliams and Cressida Cowell to name a few.

Louise O’Neill

Louise O'Neill is the multi-award-winning author of five novels, three of which are for Young Adults. Her second YA novel, Asking For It, spent 52 weeks in the top ten of the Irish charts, was named Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in 2015, and was awarded the Michael. L Printz honour by the American Library Association. She has a weekly column for the Irish Examiner and lives in West Cork, Ireland.

Arlo Parks

Arlo Parks is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from West London. Since she was very young, Arlo wrote as a way of creatively expressing her emotions, and was inspired by poets Gary Snyder, Mary Oliver and Pat Parker, among others. At 14, she started making beats to rhyme her poetry to – which formed the basis of her song writing. Now with her music and storytelling, Arlo converts people's hyper specific moments into something universal. In 2017, she submitted her recordings to 91Èȱ¬ Introducing, which led to her first interview, management and later a recording contract. In the summer of 2018, Arlo recorded her first EP, 2019’s acclaimed Super Sad Generation with breakout hit 'Cola'. Her Sophie EP quickly followed, alongside performances at Glastonbury and Latitude Festivals and supporting slots on tour with Jordan Rakei and Loyle Carner. In 2020 she was included on the 91Èȱ¬ Sound Poll and in Dazed’s 100 List, and featured on covers with NME and Evening Standard. She won the AIM One to Watch and 91Èȱ¬ Introducing Artist Of The Year Awards, and made her debut appearances on COLORS, Later.... with Jools Holland. Her high-profile fans include Phoebe Bridgers, Billie Eilish, Florence Welch, Lily Allen, Michaela Coel and Michelle Obama.

Robert Webb

Robert Webb is best known for his work as the Webb half of Mitchell & Webb in the Sony award-winning That Mitchell & Webb Sound and the Bafta award-winning That Mitchell & Webb Look, and as permanent man-boy Jeremy in the acclaimed Peep Show. In 2017, his call-to-arms memoir How Not To Be a Boy was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. Robert has been a columnist for the Daily Telegraph and the New Statesman, and now lives in London with his wife and daughters. In 2020 he published his first novel, Come Again.

Alex Wheatle

Alex Wheatle is the author of several acclaimed novels, many of them inspired by experiences from his childhood. He was born in Brixton to Jamaican parents, and spent most of his childhood in a Surrey children’s home. Following a short stint in prison following the Brixton uprising of 1981, he wrote poems and lyrics and became known as the Brixtonbard. Alex has been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, and was awarded an MBE for services to literature in 2008.

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