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Story Lab 2026 |
Creative Writing Competition
| 7-18 Year-Olds


Story Lab 2026 Graphic

Brand-new story writing competition for 7-18 year-olds

Any theme, any subject, 500 words...


Story Lab is the summer story writing competition from Young Writers for 7-18 year-olds.

Budding authors have:

✏️ 500 words
📖 Any theme
📚 Any genre

If young writers need inspiration, download the free story examples and ‘How to Write a Story’ guide.

Also, check out these blogs that offer top tips & writing help from published authors:

How To Invent Character Names 
How To Turn An Idea In To A Story 
Top Tips For Fantasy Story Writing 
Using History In Your Stories 
How To Write A Funny Story 
How To Write A Thriller 
Exploring Dystopian Fiction
Using Dungeons & Dragons To Improve Your Writing 
How To Create A Beastly Monster 
Creating A Magical Land And Characters

Who or what will inspire them? Which time period will they choose: past, present or future? We can’t wait to find out!

This competition closes on 11th September 2026, so your pupils have all summer to plan & write their stories!

Closing Date: Friday 11th Sep 2026

We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...

Great competitions and easy to use resources! Highly recommend to all literacy teachers

Mrs King, Steyning Grammar School
See more...

Enter Details to Download

You'll get instant access to free writing resources.
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You'll get access to...

Example Stories (all ages)
A3 Poster
Pupil Word Doc Entry Form
Pupil Entry Form
Teacher Entry Form
How To Write A Story
Info For Parents
A4 Poster

Competition Rules

To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:

Closing Date: Friday 11th Sep 2026
  • Only one entry per pupil; there is no limit to the number of entries per school. Teachers, please submit your entries together where possible! Please use one teacher entry form for each teacher entering. 
  • Ask your pupils to write their story (or an adult can scribe/type it), ensuring their name, age and school name are included. (Initials or first name only can be submitted)
  • Work can be on the entry form or an A4 sheet of paper, or typed (on a computer or in the Online Writing Portal).
  • Stories can be written in any genre on any theme.
  • Stories must be NO LONGER than 500 words.
  • Copyright remains with the author.
  • UK entrants only.
  • Free to enter.
  • Pupils' work must be their own! (Please note on the entry if there is anything we need to take into consideration when reading the work.)

If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.

For Schools

Participating schools receive a free copy of the book their pupils feature in.

For Pupils

Our favourite 5 writers will each win £100 and a trophy!

Photo is for illustrative purposes only. Winners will be announced in December 2026.
Download Now

It’s easy to take part!

  1. Download entry forms
  2. Your students write or type their entry (or an adult can scribe) ensuring their name (or initials) and age are included
  3. Submit your entries using one of the options below

Enter Online

  Email

Email your entries to [email protected] and please ensure your pupils' names and ages are on their work, and that you include your name, school name and school address in your email. Thank you!

  Upload

Upload your entries

  Entrants type their entries online

Why not combine literacy and ICT by using the online writing portal? Entrants can type their work and you can submit them at the click of a button!

Writing Portal

  File Sender Services

You can use different file sender services to enter digitally, such as: WeTransfer, Google Classroom, Dropbox, Send Anywhere, Egress, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Smash, Files.com, Apple iCloud Drive, FileCloud

Please ensure your name, email and school name and address are included with your entries if you send entries digitally via a non-Young Writers service.

Download Now

Send by Freepost

Send your entries, along with your teacher entry form, to:

FREEPOST RSLY-AUJA-RAHY
Young Writers Story Lab
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

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Tips will be added here each week that the competition is running.

Get In Touch

Email
[email protected]

Tel
01733 890066

Post
FREEPOST RSLY-AUJA-RAHY
Young Writers Story Lab
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Closing Date: Friday 11th Sep 2026