There were nearly 600 entries into this year's London Society writing competition 'Love Letters to London' - a considerable increase on the inaugural competition in 2021/22.

After exhaustive deliberation, the judges have come up with their shortlists across the four entry categories (listed below in alphabetical order of surname). Winners will be announced on 6 March.

Our thanks to the judges, and to the event sponsors Almacantar, Stiff + Trevillion, and Footwork.

OPEN CATEGORY

• A London Fairytale Melody Bowles
• Flaneur Carole Tyrrell
• November Liz Gwinnell
• Another day with you, my love Philipp Röttgers
• London Underground Society John Soanes
• Biddy Mulligans Richard Woulfe

POETRY

• Post Party Poem or There’s No Signal Underground Lena Bruges
• Fragmentary Softenings Fiona Dignan
• By Waterloo Station Paul A. Freeman
• Missed Connections Tansy Hawksley
• On a Whim Alison Homewood
• Embankment Tube Station: Northern Line Ian Mole
• London Lullaby, Writer’s Retreat (Ode to SE1) Emma Phillips

12-18 YEAR OLDS

• London is a People Toby Atkinson
• The Underground Beth McCauley McGrow
• Dear London Janique Meyer
• City of Fate Lauryn Okerago
• Reflections Oshadha Perera
• magic (one thousand, five hundred and seventy-two kilometres squared) Ash Torbica
• Do You Copy? Iolanda Von Wielligh
• Plan a Journey Laura Hedd Williams
• Love, Me Ariel Zhang

12 AND UNDER

• My London Henry Armstrong
• This is London Kezia Atkinson
• London Landmarks by Libi Goldman
• A Love Letter to London: The City of Dreams Barminder Kaur
• My Dearest London (Love Letter To London) Ava Pettifor
• London In Lights! Ava Robbins
• My Letter to London Marcelle Sims
• Love letter to London Tahira
• Dear London Julianne Wort

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