Competitions and fun things

This page was last updated on 05/02/2020

Looking for something bookish to do? Check out the literary competitions below (make sure you double check the due dates!)

Speak to your librarian Miss Le if you're confused, need any help or if you'd like to suggest a competition to be added here.

Have fun!

The Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2020/21 (ends 28 February 2021)

The Canterbury Tales Writing Competition

"The Chaucer Heritage Trust was founded in 1992 and aims to further interest, understanding and appreciation of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, his life and times and influence.

The competition is open to all students of school age."

Competition Guidelines

"Choose ONE of the following:

A poem or story about wishes coming true
A poem or story about wishes going wrong
A description of a character who grants wishes"

Style

"Your writing should invoke the spirit of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.
All entries must be in English.
Think carefully about the language – choosing the words which best convey your intended meaning and message.
You are encouraged to use everyday language and colloquialisms but if appropriate please include explanations in brackets.
Think carefully about the characters in your writing and what they say about the world you live in.

Word Count: The maximum word count is 500 words"

Prizes

"11-18: 1st £300, 2nd £150, 3rd £100"

How to enter

You can submit your entry on the website link below.

More information on the website.

The Deep/Mighty Pens Young Writers Award 2021 (ends March 15 2021)

The Deep/Mighty Pens Young Writers Award 2021

"The Deep/Mighty Pens Young Writers Award is open to all under 18’s until March 15, 2021.

Writers must write about the ocean – be that a love for pufferfish or a loathing of plastic pollution.

Maximum word count: 500/1000 words, depending on age category.

It is free to enter.

The winner from each category will receive a family season ticket for The Deep, one of the UK’s biggest aquariums.

More information on the website.

On a Queer Theme - a Queer Writing Competition (ends 31st March 2021)

On a Queer Theme

A Queer Writing Competition for Young People aged 13 – 18

"We’re looking for short stories of 500 – 1000 words, on a queer theme. It’s that simple. Just submit your entry to libraries@sheffield.gov.uk before midnight 31st March 2021, marked ‘LGBTQ+ Story Comp’.

Entrants must be aged 13 – 18 when the competition closes.

The winner will be selected by Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Prize judges Liz Chapman and Zoey Dixon.

Prize

"£50 of book tokens"

More information on the website.

Voices 2021: The national writing competition for children in and leaving care (ends 31st March 2021)

Voices 2021: The national writing competition for children in and leaving care

Open to young people in or leaving care aged 25 or under.

"Every year there is a theme chosen by children and young people to write about – this year it is “What Makes Life Good”. This could be anything from places you have been, things you have done, People who are important to you, things you like to do or anything else that you feel ‘Makes Life Good’ for you.

Your entries can be up to (but no more than) 500 words long and can be a story, poem, rap, article or anything else that fits the theme. "

How do I enter?

Enter via the website - use the button below.

More information on the website.

Write on Art (ends 30th April 2021)

Write on Art

"Write on Art is an annual national writing competition sponsored by Art UK and the Paul Mellon Centre to encourage an interest in art history among young people.

The prize is open to all UK students aged 15–18."

How do I enter?

"To enter Write on Art, all you have to do is pick one artwork featured on the Art UK website and write about it.

What does it say to you? What’s the history behind it? How does it make you feel? This is your opportunity to write about the things you care about.

Write on Art is free to enter."

Prizes

"The winners will win a cash prize and have their essays featured on the Art UK and Paul Mellon Centre websites.

1st place – £500
2nd place – £200
Three runners up – £100 each

Apply now – Years 10/11 (England and Wales), S3 & 4 (Scotland), Years 11 and 12 (Northern Ireland)"

More information on the website.

Author of Tomorrow (ends 30th April 2021)

The Author of Tomorrow

The Author of Tomorrow will open for submissions 1st March - 30th April 2021. Open to young people aged 11-21.

"Part of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, it is an annual competition designed to find the adventure writers of the future. It is open to young people, aged 21 and under, who have completed a short piece of adventure writing in English."

How do I enter?

"Read our definition of adventure writing here and read the details below to be sure you enter the relevant age category."

Prizes

"Category 2: age 12-15 years
£100 plus £150 in book tokens for their school, library or charity of choice
Young writers must submit a short adventure story between 1500-5000 words in length."

More information on the website.