Wanted - competition closed

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Every story is about someone who wants something.

How they try to get it, what stands in their way, and whether they are successful or not - that is where the story lies.

Our latest competition invites your students to write a story in up to 100 words on this theme, interpreting 'Wanted' however they like, so they can choose a genre or topic that inspires them. You can also link to your learning by asking students to write about the wants and desires of the characters in your current class text.

The free resources, including story starters, a lesson plan, example stories, writing prompts and more, are packed with inspiration and will guide your students through the writing process, from the first spark of an idea through to writing and editing their finished piece. Get them now from the Downloads tab above.

We've even created a brand-new video lesson for you to share with your class, packed with tips and inspiration to help students create their own amazing stories.

If you need more entry forms, posters or postcards we can print these for you - fill in how many you need in the Printed Resources tab and we'll post them out, completely free of charge.

Seeing their work in print is motivation like no other, and the pride they feel holding a printed book containing their story will encourage them to keep writing. And for the more reluctant writers, the prizes might do the trick! We have a £100 Amazon Gift Card to award to our 5 favourite stories, and £1000 for the school with the best overall set of entries.

So, if you want a class, or even a whole school, filled with engaged, confident writers with minimal planning for you, then get everything you need to take part today!

[Rules] =>

Only one entry per student.
No limit to the number of entries per school.
Teachers please submit your entries together where possible! If more than one teacher is entering, please use one Teacher Entry Form per teacher. They can still be sent together.
Ask your students to write their story, ensuring their name, age and school name are included. (First name only or initials can be used if necessary. )
Entries can be scribed/typed by an adult if necessary.
Work can be on the entry form, an A4 sheet of paper or typed (on a computer or in the Online Writing Portal).
100-word limit.
If a story starter/ending is used, it must be included in the 100-word limit.
Students' stories must be their own work!
Please note on the entry if there is anything we need to take into consideration when reading the work.
UK entrants only.
Free to enter.
Ideal for 11-18 year-olds, but students outside that age range are welcome to enter.
Copyright remains with the author.

[School Prizes] =>

The school that submits the best overall set of entries will win £1,000 and Young Writers' Award of Excellence!

PLUS every participating school receives a free copy of the book their students feature in!

(Remember, you receive 1 free copy for every 30 entries you submit! E.g. 1-30 entries you receive 1 copy, 31-60 entries you receive 2 copies, etc)

[Student Prizes] =>

5 winners will each get an £100 Amazon gift card and a trophy.

Plus every entrant receives a bookmark and all writers whose work we'd love to publish will get a certificate of merit.

(School & student winners will be chosen from entries submitted in the Summer Term 2026. The prizes will be sent in the following term.)

[Tips] =>
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Every story is about someone who wants something.

So... what does your character want?

You are invited to write a story in up to 100 words on the theme of 'wanted', but the genre and topic are completely up to you.

You might write an adventure story about an explorer searching for lost treasure, a thriller about a detective hunting down a criminal, a magical fantasy about a creature battling evil forces, or a funny tale about a ghost who just wants a friend.

Think about...

Who is your character?

What do they want?

Who or what is in their way?

What could go wrong?

Do they get what they want?

There are story starters and even more ideas to inspire you on the planning sheet.

Download them now, along with more resources to help you get writing, including example stories. There are two main rules: keep your story to 100 words (or fewer!), and be original.

Every entrant has the opportunity to see their work published in a book, and there are fantastic prizes up for grabs, including £100 Amazon gift cards for our favourite 5 stories. You could be a winner, but you have to enter to be in with a chance!

So if you want to be a published author, and maybe a winner, download your entry form now!

How To Enter

Email your entry along with your name and full address to: [email protected]

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

Post your entry along with your name and full address to:

Young Writers - Wanted
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Closing date: 24th July 2026

[Independent Rules] =>

Only one entry per person.
Write or type your story (or an adult can scribe/type it), ensuring your name, age and address are included. (Initials or first name only can be supplied if necessary.)
Work can be on the entry form or an A4 sheet of paper or typed.
Stories must be your own work.
Please note on the entry if there is anything we need to take into consideration when reading the work.
100-word limit.
UK entrants only.
Free to enter.
Ideal for 10-18 year-olds, but young writers outside that age range are welcome to enter.
Copyright remains with the author.

[Independent Prizes] =>

5 winners will each receive a £100 Amazon gift card and a trophy

Plus every entrant receives a bookmark and all writers whose work we'd love to publish will get a certificate of merit.

(Winners will be chosen from entries submitted in the Spring Term 2026. The prizes will be sent in the following term. Independent entrants are eligible for student prizes.)

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This competition is now closed.

If you have late entries, please email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to accommodate them.

Open competitions can be found here.

What happens now?

Our editorial team will read every single entry. Any child whose work they'd love to publish in a book will be sent a letter and certificate. Children whose work hasn't met the competition criteria will have the chance to resubmit their work. Winners will be chosen from published pieces once all the books in the series have been published.

Competition Timeline

Stage	Date	Status
Letters Sent	By 8^th June 2026	⏳ Coming Soon
Books Published	22^nd June 2026 - 27^th July 2026	⏳ Coming Soon
Winners Announced	25^th September 2026	⏳ Coming Soon

Please note we aim to keep these dates as accurate as possible but can be subject to change.

For more detailed information about your school's entries, please log in (or create) your teacher account here using the email you included on your teacher entry form.