Book festival announces competition winners

Derby Book Festival has announced the winners of two competitions, designed to engage people in writing and books.

The festival has announced the winner of the Derby Children’s Picture Book Award and the winners of its Flash Fiction competition.

The winning book in the Derby Children’s Picture Book Award was Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield and Yoang Giang.

It was voted for by children in Years 2 and 3 at 63 Derby schools from a shortlist of three.

Meanwhile, the festival has revealed the winners of its 2025 Flash Fiction Writing Competition, which challenged adults and children to write a story of up to 50 words on the subject of ‘voices’.

Almost 500 entries were submitted across five categories. The winning stories will be printed on festival bookmarks with illustrations by a University of Derby illustration and design student.

The full list of winning stories and the two runners-up stories in each category are available on the festival website at https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/news/2025-flash-fiction-writing-competition-winners .