The Team of Keekli Charitable Trust hosted its first webinar for the winners and participants of its annual Short Story Contest – 2025, bringing together over 40 enthusiastic young writers from across India. The event was a part of Keekli’s ongoing mission to nurture young literary talent and celebrate storytelling in all its forms.
Out of a remarkable 135 submissions, 51 short stories have been selected for inclusion in this year’s much-awaited anthology. The webinar, moderated by writer and editor Sonia Dogra, featured an engaging panel comprising Aastha Chadha—writer, transcreator, voiceover artist, storyteller and jury member for the contest—and Vandana Bhagra, publisher and editor of the Keekli News Portal.
The session focused on guiding young writers through the intricacies of story writing, contest submission, and the essential building blocks of storytelling. The panel elaborated on the judgement criteria, offering clarity on what sets a compelling story apart—from originality and structure to tone, pacing, and character development. Aastha took a deep dive into these elements, providing valuable writing tips and urging the writers to read more, observe deeply, and constantly question the world around them to fuel creativity.
A timely and important discussion emerged around the use of Artificial Intelligence in creative writing. Both speakers cautioned young writers against depending on AI tools for storytelling, stressing instead the importance of nurturing individual voice and originality. “Have faith in your own words,” they advised, urging the young authors to take pride in their unique perspectives.
Vandana re-introduced the ‘5Ws and 1H’ concept—Where, What, Who, When, Why, and How—as a foundational approach for creating well-rounded stories. She explained how answering these simple yet vital questions can help young writers build stories with depth, coherence, and meaning.
Adding a personal touch, Lavanya Muni, a Class 9 student and a published author with Keekli, shared her experience of participating in the Short Story Contest. She spoke about her journey as a young writer, encouraging her peers to embrace the joy of writing and the pride of publication.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants posed thoughtful questions on overcoming writer’s block, finding inspiration, and writing about unfamiliar subjects. The panellists offered both practical advice and motivating words to empower these emerging voices. This webinar marked a significant milestone for Keekli as it continues to build a strong literary community of young storytellers. The upcoming anthology promises to be a vibrant showcase of new talent, creativity, and the timeless magic of words.
The anthology will be released on 14th November, the best gift children can receive.
