Children’s
Writing Competition 2021 “Everything is a story. I am a story. You are a story” – Frances Hodgson Burnett It is said that we all have a book in us. Maybe you have several – perhaps hundreds – of ideas just waiting to be committed to paper. Well, now is your chance. Because, after a year on pause, we are relaunching – with great excitement – our Children’s Writing Competition 2021. The only fixed rule is that your story must be under 500 words. Other than that, we’re giving you total freedom. Your story might be about unicorns or UFOs, narwhals or ninjas; it might take place on Mars or the Mottistone longstone, the Serengeti or Sandown Bay. Alliteration optional. You could cram an entire lifetime into 500 words or pen a 50 second streamof-consciousness (ask your English teacher on that one). By all means check and double check your work, but we’re not going to mark you down for spelling and grammar – the world’s greatest writers (ahem, Roald Dahl) understand that language should be, above all, fun. Likewise, your story can be laugh-out-loud and feelgood, or have a strong environmental message that stays with you for days. Maybe both! Your story, your way.
But don’t worry, if the freedom is a little too intoxicating, we’ll also be bringing you top tips, creative writing prompts, and author interviews to help you find your flow. Word in the Style of Wight office is we might even dress up for World Book Day. Stand by for pictures. This year, there are two age categories – 7 to 11 and 12 to 16 – and you’ve got from now until the end of the summer holidays to submit your work. In September 2021 entries will be judged by a panel of publishing professionals, including awardwinning Island author Kieran Larwood. Winning entries will be published in an illustrated anthology, with all profits going to local children's charity the IW Story Festival. Which means that by next Christmas you could be holding a book of your very own work – and giving them as presents to all your friends and family. Entries to be sent via snail mail to Style of Wight, 8 Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1EJ or emailed to features@styleofwight.co.uk Teachers – spread the word. Parents – sow the seed. Young people – get writing!
Sponsored by: ROBIN MCINNES OBE January and February 2021
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