German International School Cape Town (DSK) Grade 10 pupil Anna Lear Pinkney received a certificate of excellence for her short story in the Authors Assemble writing competition for young adults.
Her story was published in a new digital anthology showcasing 13 original tales involving the bizarre, mysterious and thrilling.
Anna, 15, was in born in Vienna, Austria.
Her story is about a boy named Benedict who lives with his aunt and has no idea of what he is really capable of until he meets Katharine, a shapeshifter who trains him.
Nathaniel, Benedict’s so-called friend also has a power of his own, which he uses to capture and manipulate Benedict.
A story of self-discovery, friendship and betrayal begins to unfold.
On what inspired her to write the story, Anna said: “I had a dream, the same vision my main character, Benedict, kept having in my story, before he met the shapeshifter, Katharine.
“I was contemplating writing a story about it, and then the opportunity arose. I love fantasy novels as a creative outlet in general.”
She said the word count of a short story limited her ability to develop the characters but she may do so at a later stage.
