Array ( [article_id] => 22180 [company_id] => 1 [user_id] => 0 [article_type_id] => 58 [article_seo_url] => story-lab [details] => Array ( [Title] => Story Lab 2026 [Description] => Brand-new story writing competition for 7-18 year-olds [Subheading] => Any theme, any subject, 500 words... [Age] => 7-18 Year-Olds [Intro] =>

It’s time to let your pupils’ imaginations run wild!

Story Lab gives young writers aged 7-18 the freedom to create a story that’s completely their own. From laugh-out-loud adventures and spine-tingling mysteries to fantasy worlds, real-life tales and everything in between – there are no limits on where their ideas can take them.

Budding authors have:

✏️ 500 words
📖 Any theme
📚 Any genre

Whether they already have an idea they can’t wait to write or need a little help getting started, we’ve got plenty of free inspiration to get their creativity flowing.

Download the free story examples and ‘How to Write a Story’ guide, and check out these blogs offering top tips and writing help from published authors:

⚡How To Invent Character Names 
⚡How To Turn An Idea Into 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 11^th September 2026, so your pupils have all summer to plan & write their stories! Your pupils could be published authors later this year and could even win a prize for their story writing!

[Rules] =>

• 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.)

[School Prizes] => Participating schools receive a free copy of the book their pupils feature in. [Student Prizes] => Our favourite 5 writers will each win £100 and a trophy! [Tips] =>
[YouTube] => [Opens] => [Closes] => 2026-09-11 [Orion ID] => 755 [RR Ontraport ID] => [DL Ontraport ID] => 800 [Post Class] => Story Lab [Orion Teacher Year] => [How to Enter] => [Winners Subheading] => [Winners Intro] =>
[Winner Word] => [Schools/Clubs] => Schools [Thumbnail] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1777482629-1551-YoungWritersStoryLabpageIcon.png [Background] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1777482629-235-YoungWritersStoryLab-Background-Image.jpg [Logo] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1777482629-7153-YoungWritersStoryLab-Logo.png [Independent Intro] =>

Their imagination. Their story. Their chance to shine.

Does your child love making up characters, inventing new worlds or telling stories? Story Lab is their chance to turn those ideas into a story of their very own.

Open to young writers aged 7-18, there are no tricky themes to follow and no set genre. Your child simply has up to 500 words to write about whatever inspires them – from fantasy and adventure to comedy, mystery, spooky stories and beyond.

Need a little help getting started? We’ve got free example stories and a How to Write a Story guide packed with inspiration & ready to download below.

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? We can’t wait to find out! Your child could be published authors later this year and could even win a prize for their story writing!

It's Easy To Take Part! How To Enter:

Email your child's entry along with their name and full address to: [email protected]

OR

Upload their entry at www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/enter

OR

Post your child's entry along with their name and full address to:

Young Writers - Story Lab
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Closing Date: 11th September 2026

[Independent Rules] =>

• Only one entry per child.
• Ask your child to write their story (or an adult can scribe/type it), ensuring their name, age and full home address 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.
• 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.
• Your child's story must be their own work! (Please note on the entry if there is anything we need to take into consideration when reading the work.)

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