We are excited to announce the winners and runners-up of our 2025 One Teen Story Teen Writing Contest! We received nearly 600 entries from teen writers across the globe, and narrowing it down was no easy feat. Each winner will receive $500 and publication on our website.

Ages 13-15 Winner: “Rain” by Carys Schiffer

“I felt my face flushing at the fact that I had been caught looking. But then again, what was the harm in looking? She couldn’t possibly know how long I had sat there, quietly observing like a shade.” — “Rain” by Carys Schiffer

Carys Schiffer is a 15-year-old living in West Virginia with her twin sister, mom, and two opinionated pets. She is a freshman at Jefferson High School and enjoys English, Chamber Choir, and History. She writes stories with strong focus on queer protagonists, as well as consuming a plethora of horror and dystopian fiction. She is always encouraged to write by her family, as well as by her incredible partner. You can probably find her reading in a corner somewhere or listening to music.

Runner-up: “A New Destination” by Nora Alikhani

Ages 16-17 Winner: “Something’s in the Water” by Eliza Shannon

“The gaping maw of Passamoonshine Lake was the stuff nightmares were made of. Ominous black water, deeper than the eye could follow, barren save for deadfall and some sleek fish.” — “Something’s in the Water” by Eliza Shannon

Eliza Shannon is a high school senior from Central Maine, just south of Bangor. From a young age, she loved telling stories and was fascinated by ghost tales, folklore, and monsters of any kind. In her free time, she loves reading, hiking, swimming, and watching slasher movies with her mom. Her work has previously been featured in Cricket Magazine.

Runner-up: “Petrichor” by Ava Jekel

Ages 18-19 Winner: “The End of the World” by Claire-Emmanuelle Boucher

“It feels like this is the line everyone uses when they leave: you better come visit. Like a few visits will make everything feel like it used to. Like visiting is the equivalent to not leaving in the first place. Like visiting isn’t a small reminder that they are going somewhere and you aren’t, that they are leaving and you’re the one who’s staying behind.” — “The End of the World” by Claire-Emmanuelle Boucher

Claire-Emmanuelle Boucher is an aspiring Canadian writer from Québec, Canada. She is currently studying Neuroscience at McGill University in Montréal. Her previous work has been published by Font Magazine and B’nai Brith Canada. She writes both in English and in French, and loves to incorporate both languages in her work. In her free time, she likes reading, biking, and playing music.

Runner-up: “You Don’t Get Back a Texas Summer” by Asia Franklin

Thanks to all who entered the contest! Our next Teen Writing Contest will take place in the fall.

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