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Competition T&Cs

Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions are applicable to all Young Writers' competitions unless otherwise stated. If a competition has different terms and conditions, these will be clearly stated on the competition page / competition entry form(s).

By entering any of Young Writers' competitions, you agree to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions. All entry instructions form part of the terms and conditions of Young Writers' competitions.

Terms of Entry to Poetry & Writing Competitions

(Terms of entry are provided in competition packs to teachers / organisations by post and available to download at the relevant competition page.)

  • Entry to any Young Writers' competition is FREE and no purchase is necessary to enter or win a prize for individuals or schools.
  • Work must be original (not copied).
  • Copyright remains with the author. We cannot publish work without permission. The work is published in a named book title. If the work is chosen as a winner the work will be published on our website & may be used in future marketing materials.
  • Competitions are open to different age ranges and will be clearly presented on any competition materials and competition web pages. Competitions are also listed in school types: Nursery, Primary, Secondary, All Ages.
  • Competition closing dates are clearly marked on any competition materials and competition web pages.
  • When entering, the rules advise teachers should ensure they've received the relevant permissions from their headteacher/SLT if required by that school or trust AND that if GDPR or Cyber Security paperwork is required to be completed before entering to email it over to us and we will complete and return it. Teachers are also advised in the rules that entries can be submitted with first names or initials only to assist schools with data compliance and individual children's needs so all children can enter a competition.
  • Young Writers' main competitions usually run for one academic year, once each term. This is subject to change, but prizes for launched competitions will not be affected.
  • Unless otherwise stated entries from outside the UK must be submitted via a school by post, email, upload or Online Writing Portal. Finished entries in the Online Writing Portal are auto-submitted after the closing date - please remove work if you do not want it entered.
  • If any Young Writers competition results in less than 500 entries Young Writers reserves the right to cancel the competition & prizes and move entrants to an alternative competition instead.
  • The promoter of all Young Writers' competitions is Bonacia Ltd, Remus House, Coltsfoot Drive, Peterborough PE2 9BF. Bonacia Ltd is a Limited Liability company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 05368980. VAT registration number is 102781343.

Terms of Entry to After School Club Art Competitions

  • Entry to any Young Writers' After School Club art competition is FREE and no purchase is necessary to enter or win a prize for individuals or clubs.
  • The artists' work must be their own and must be completed on the entry form within the guidelines provided.
  • Copyright remains with the author. We cannot publish work without permission. The work is published in a named book title. If the work is chosen as a winner the work will be published on the front cover of the book, on our website & may be used in future marketing materials.
  • After School Club competitions are open to different age ranges and will be clearly presented on any competition materials and competition web pages. 
  • After School Club competition closing dates are clearly marked on any competition materials and competition web pages. 
  • Unless otherwise stated entries must be submitted via a club by post or email. Breakfast, after school and holiday clubs are eligible to enter. Schools can also enter.
  • After School Club is open to clubs and school in the UK only.
  • If any After School Club competition results in less than 500 entries Young Writers reserves the right to cancel the competition & prizes and move entrants to an alternative competition instead.
  • The promoter of After School Club competitions is Bonacia Ltd, Remus House, Coltsfoot Drive, Peterborough PE2 9BF. Bonacia Ltd is a Limited Liability company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 05368980. VAT registration number is 102781343.

Publishing Criteria

Our Editorial team selects work to be published based on several criteria, which is age-relevant:

4-7 Year-Olds (Infant School)

  • Creativity
  • Imagination
  • Use of language
  • Interpretation of theme (if applicable)
  • Age is taken into consideration
  • Any SEND editors are made aware of are taken into consideration

7-12 Year-Olds (Primary School)

  • Creativity
  • Imagination
  • Use of language
  • Originality
  • Interpretation of theme (if applicable)
  • Age is taken into consideration
  • Any SEND editors are made aware of are taken into consideration

11-18 Year-Olds (Secondary School)

  • Creativity
  • Imagination
  • Technical writing ability
  • Originality
  • Interpretation of theme (if applicable)
  • Age is taken into consideration
  • Any SEND editors are made aware of are taken into consideration

After School Club Art Competitions (criteria applies to all ages)

  • Creativity
  • Imagination
  • Interpretation of theme (if applicable)
  • Age is taken into consideration
  • Any SEND we are made aware of are taken into consideration

All entrants have a realistic chance of seeing their work in print (average 60%). Entrants who are chosen for publication will be asked for parent/guardian's permission to publish the work. Published entrants are then considered for a prize.

Winners' Criteria

  • Being chosen for publication is not "winning" the competition
  • Winners are chosen as the best writer(s), poet(s) or artist(s) in the book/series, based on the publishing criteria above.
  • Winners are picked through a panel of judges; Young Writers' Editorial Team and Young Writers' Independent Poetry & Literary Adjudicator.
  • Winners' must be published in the book (permission to publish must have been given before the deadline provided to parent/guardians).
  • There is no purchase necessary to win a prize.
  • Pupil / Independent entry winners' names, ages, schools/clubs (if applicable), book title and piece of work are displayed in the winners' section of the Young Writers website.
  • By accepting the prize, pupil winners agree to their name, age, school/club (if applicable), book title and piece of work being displayed in the winners' section of the Young Writers website & that their work may be used in future marketing materials to show the winning entry standard; school winners agree to their name, location and book title the work is published in being displayed in the winners' section of the Young Writers website and being stated in a press release to local media. 
  • Prizes are as stated on each competition page. Pupil/School prizes advertised per book are awarded and announced upon publication of each title. Pupil/School prizes advertised per term are awarded and announced in the next term. Pupil/School prizes advertised per competition are awarded and announced in the next academic year. Winners are notified in writing by letter or email & will include a link to the winners' page for authenticity.

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