On Tuesday 16th March 2025, we invited our six shortlisted authors to the 2024 Benjamin Franklin House Literary Prize Award Ceremony to celebrate their work and meet the judges of this year’s competition.

We gathered in the historic rooms of 36 Craven Street where all six shortlisted entries were put on display for everyone to enjoy along with several glasses of prosecco! It was also a great opportunity for our writers to meet some of the judges of the competition.

At the ceremony, we heard from Dr. Márcia Balisciano (Director, Benjamin Franklin House) who awarded the runner up, Matthew Fitzgerald, and this year’s winner, Aditi Pillai, their prize money. All writers also received a certificate of excellence for their work. We also heard from John Studzinski (Chairman, Benjamin Franklin House), who congratulated attendees via a fantastic written statement and ended the celebrations with a wonderful reading from the winning entry by Aditi Pillai.

Our six shortlisted entries will be on a monthly rotating display in Benjamin Franklin House in our Seminar Room for all visitors to the House to enjoy.

The night honoured the work of our young writers and looking to the future, we eagerly await the next round of submissions for our upcoming 2026 Literary Prize. Later in the year, a new Franklin quote for interpretation will be released with submissions expected to open in Autumn 2025.

If you are interested in participating in our 2026 Literary Prize, please check out our website for updates or email our Education Manager to join our mailing list and be the first to find out when submissions open.

Email: education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org