Caldenerin shines in the literary competition: One step towards becoming a writer!

Caldenerin shines in the literary competition: One step towards becoming a writer!

There is reason to be happy in Calden! 24-year-old Merle Proll took second place at the Young Literature Forum Hessen/Thuringia 2024/2025. A total of 385 participants competed in this competition, and Merle's writing talent particularly stood out. Proll, who studies in Vienna, was able to convince the jury with her contribution and will be published in the anthology “Nagelprobe”. This is not only a way for her to make her works accessible to a wider audience, but also a confirmation of her development as an author.

The author started writing at an early age; She submitted her first short story at the age of 12. "Where do the ideas come from? Often from everyday impressions," she says, adding that her texts often deal with hard and dark topics. Merle's works are an exciting mix of prose and poetry, experimental and not always easy to understand. Her creative work is accompanied by a clear goal: “I want to work on my development as an author, even if I don’t aspire to a career in this area,” Proll continues.

The competition and the diversity of voices

Anyone between the ages of 16 and 25 who lives in Hesse or Thuringia and is passionate about writing can take part in the Young Literature Forum. Submission of three poems or one or more prose texts was possible between November 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025. Proll's success shows that even lesser-known voices can make an important impact in the literary world. Anyone who wanted to submit their text was allowed to use a maximum of 1,300 words and had to have written it themselves. The nature of the texts was entirely free to promote diversity of ideas and narrative styles. It was important not to be discouraged and to stubbornly believe in your own style of writing. Merle also points this out when she encourages aspiring authors.

A few interesting general conditions of the competition: A total of ten cash prizes of 800 euros each were awarded and the winners were able to take part in a workshop. This shows that the competition is not only intended to spread literature, but also to promote the craft of writing. The prize can serve as a springboard for further literary ambitions.

Paths to literary development

Merle's path into literary life is not unheard of. Anyone who compares themselves to her quickly realizes that there are many ways to immerse themselves in the world of literature. A look at other tenders shows that there is a wide variety of opportunities to take part in competitions and tenders. Whether critical texts, scholarships for young authors or various topics that shed light on current social challenges, the possibilities are numerous. Many platforms, like Word magician, offer a database with various competitions and scholarships. This means our young writers can continually readjust their talent base.

In summary, Merle Proll is an example of how great literature can emerge from simple experiences with talent and commitment. For her, the competition was another step on an exciting path to staying true to writing and developing herself.