Meet Rachel Hickingbotham, winner of our 2026 Winter Short Story Competition with her haunting entry The Sentinel, now available to read at New2theScene. As part of our mission to champion emerging writers, we sit down with Rachel to explore her creative journey, inspirations, next steps, and hopes for the future.

Step into Rachel’s world as we uncover the origins of The Sentinel — a chilling, atmospheric tale rooted in stillness, memory, and the quiet witness of time. Discover how her fascination with nature, history, and the unseen threads of human experience shaped a story that is as lyrical as it is unsettling, and how her writing has evolved through years of being told 'writing isn’t what we do from round 'ere'.

Get to know Rachel alongside our New2theScene presenter as she opens up about the challenges behind her work — the discipline required to refine her craft, the vulnerability of submitting work to competitions, tutors, or friends, and being diagnosed as having ADHD later in life. Hear how she navigates self-doubt, embraces feedback, and continues to push herself toward new creative heights.

Be inspired by Rachel’s thoughtful approach to storytelling, even if it’s at 2am when she’s keeping her partner awake because the idea must get out of her head! Her journey is a reminder that embracing who were are and our passion makes life richer, and hopefully pays off.

New2theScene is a platform dedicated to discovering new or not-yet-familiar talent. Follow us on Instagram (@new2thescene.official) for the latest offers, news, and upcoming podcast guests. Visit our bookstore at new2thescene.co.uk to order books mentioned in this or other podcasts — and unearth your next great read.