Current competitions for children
Young Playwrights Programme: We are looking to select 16 young writers aged between 16- 25 to help them develop their knowledge and skills as playwrights, working with a professional playwright to turn ideas and passion into drama in the context of a producing theatre. The course will run on fortnightly Saturdays for ten sessions between Autumn and Winter 2010/2011 from 11am to 1pm.
To apply, please send in two A4 sides of creative writing on a subject of your choice. This can be in script format, or could be a short story or poem, what we want to see is creative flair; no prior experience of writing for theatre is needed. Please send your creative writing, along with a short extract as to why you would like to take part, to Rupert Rowbotham, Learning & Participation Director, at Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6AP or email ?subject=CYP Closing date 5th Sep 2010
The Six Word Story - Arvon Foundation: Ernest Hemingway said that his best piece of writing was a six word story - ‘For sale: baby shoes. Never worn.’ Arvon’s theme for 2010 is the six word story. Throughout the year they will be collecting six word stories on their website. They will showcase as many stories as they can on their website and the winning stories will be chosen by poet Karen McCarthy. For more details click here. Send your six word stories to by 1 September 2010. Closing date 10th Sep 2010
The Poole Literary Festival New Media Prize: In partnership with Bournemouth University, Poole Literary Festival has just launched the first UK prize for New Media Writing which is open to AS & A Level students. The prize will allow writers working with New Media to showcase their skills, provoke discussion and raise awareness of new media writing and the future of the written word. For more details visit the website: http://www.poolelitfest.com/new-media-prize.php Closing date 15th Sep 2010
Children’s Book Week 2010 Wish You Were Here Competition: Encourage your KS1 or KS2 pupils to imagine they are going on holiday with a favourite book character, and then write and draw postcards to send home. The overall winner receives gifts from Crayola, a signed book by Anthony Browne, Children’s Laureate, and a £50 book token. Their school wins £150 worth of books and Crayola gifts, plus a visit for the whole school from Anthony Browne! Visit the website for more information Closing date 24th Sep 2010
The Usborne Young Writers’ Award: An opportunity to write a story with a real author. Five authors have started stories and want your help finishing them. There are great prizes, and it’s easy to enter. Go to http://www.usborne.com/youngwritersaward for more details. Closing date 20th Oct 2010
Create the Ultimate Superhero: To celebrate the start of the new school year and to mark the success of their newly expanded graphic non-fiction, graphic fiction lists and Chapter Books, Raintree Publishers are working with children’s author Michael Dahl to launch a nationwide competition for children and young people up to 16 years of age to create their very own Ultimate Superhero. All they have to do is to create their own super hero complete with a drawing, description and characteristics explaining why their particular hero is unique. For librarians and teachers the information about the competition and downloadable worksheet are at http://www.raintreepublishers.co.uk/content/ultimatesuperhero Closing date 22nd Oct 2010
