A south west London student has been shortlisted for the 2025 BBC Young Writers' Award.
Edith Taussig, 17, is one of five writers selected for her story "Roast Beef."
The tale, described as "weird and wonderful," is labelled a "housewife's revenge" story and explores themes of power, control, and societal expectations on women.
It charts how a husband's note, requesting a roast beef lunch for his golfing friends, sparks a housewife's realisation of her predicament, leading to a desire for revenge, which culminates in a literal life-altering inferno.
Ms Taussig's inspirations include Roald Dahl's short stories, Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House," and John Finnemore's radio comedies.
The BBC Young Writers’ Award is designed to discover and nurture the next generation of writers aged 14 to 18.
This year’s shortlist, featuring only female writers, was announced on BBC Radio 1's Life Hacks on Sunday, September 14.
Radio 1 presenter, Lauren Layfield, chair of the 2025 BBC Young Writers’ Award judging panel, said: "I’m delighted to share the shortlist for this year’s BBC Young Writers Award.
"Prepare yourself; the talent shown by this year’s shortlist will surprise you, entertain you and perhaps even make you think differently about the world around you.
"These are just five stories out of hundreds of incredibly creative entries submitted by young people from across the UK and proves the future of storytelling is more than bright - its glowing."
The five shortlisted stories delved into various modern themes including toxic masculinity, inter-generational relations, climate change, power, and responsibility.
Poet and judge, Joseph Coelho, said: "The talent and strength of voice present in the entries we had the privilege to read were beyond astounding.
"There were stories that chilled, delighted, and had us gasping.
"I cannot wait to see what heights these brilliant writers are sure to achieve."
Dr Elizabeth Rawlinson-Mills, University Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Fellow of Robinson College, Cambridge, said: "We have become accustomed to the shortlisted stories for the YWA offering us reassuring evidence of young writers' skill and ambition.
"This year's shortlist, with work that experiments with voice and violence, bodies and gender, things unspoken and unspeakable, feels especially timely.
"These are stories that look both outwards and inwards, and which confront the reader powerfully."
The other shortlisted stories include "Wildfolk Report 2025" by Holly Dye from Tunbridge Wells, "Adu, Lasun and Marcha" by Anoushka Patel from Leicester, "The Omen" by Anna Tuchinda from Thailand, an international student in Edinburgh, and "Scouse’s Run" by Rebecca Smith from Sheffield.
Each of these tales brings a unique perspective and a fresh voice to the competition.
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The winner will be announced live from the award ceremony at BBC Broadcasting House on Radio 4’s Front Row on Tuesday, September 30.
In addition to receiving the title, the winner will also be awarded a personalised mentoring session with an author to help hone their writing skills.
The BBC Young Writers’ Award is a collaborative initiative between BBC Radio 4 and Radio 1, with Cambridge University.
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