Aspiring author through to competition final

Louis Brierley

An aspiring author from Rochdale has made it through to the final 20 of the Sophie Lancaster Writing Competition.

Louis Brierley, 15, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome when he was seven,  made it through to the final after impressing a panel of judges from TV, theatre, music, poetry and literature with his short story about a French student named Joe, who after endless racial bullying from other children, committed suicide.

Louis, said: “The story's main point is that bullies rarely ever consider the consequences of their actions, and more often than not think their victim doesn't care.”

The competition - launched by Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh and her husband Ian Kershaw - hopes to inspire more people to be creative like Sophie and entrants were required to write a short story on the subject ‘difference.’

The couple have worked closely with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation – the charity set up by Sophie Lancaster’s parents following her horrific murder to ensure a lasting legacy to their daughter – and have attracted entries from hundreds of secondary school students from East Lancashire and Manchester. The winner will receive £100 for themselves and a £1,000 for their school.

Louis, a year 11 student at Crompton House School, found out this week that he has made the final at the Contact Theatre in November.

He said: “When my head teacher brought me to his office and showed me the judges’ email, I was over the moon. Until then I had assumed that I hadn't progressed due to the lack of updates, so you can probably guess my surprise!”

Speaking about why he entered, Louis added: “I wanted my work to be recognised, due to my own aspiration to become an author. Besides the obvious incentive of £100, I wanted to do something for the Children's Centre in Kampala in Africa - my school is raising money for a new IT room for them.”

Louis’ dad, Mike, added: “I am so proud of him for making it this far.

“Whether he wins outright or not, it's a fantastic achievement.

“I think his entry is a strong, outstanding piece of writing, although in part, sadly autobiographical.

“The Sophie Lancaster Foundation is doing a fantastic job regards awareness and reduction in bullying but there's still a long way to go as Louis' story emphasises.”