The 2026 Young Writers Competition is now open!
New Stories Start Here.
Every year, Wimbledon BookFest invites young writers from across South London and Surrey to find their voice and share it with the world. Our Young Writers Competition is open to all schools from KS1 to Sixth Form, giving children the chance to find a passion for writing.
This year’s theme is The Light.
Deadline for entries is Friday 8 May 5pm.
To get involved, email our Schools’ Liaison Fran Baxter through [email protected]
RESOURCESAll your resources are right here. Think writing prompts, image banks, guidelines, templates and free promotional materials including stickers, bookmarks and posters that teachers can order for their schools. As well as a special launch video from MC Grammar.
The entry process has changed this year so be sure to read the guidelines carefully.
STICKERS & BOOKMARKSMeet the Judges
Our judging panel is a diverse mix of authors, teachers and educational experts.
This year we are delighted to have four fantastic author judges:
- Eve Wersocki Morris (Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed, The Bird Singers, Forbidden of Forest Magic)
- Nathanael Lessore (King of Nothing, Steady for This, Solving Crimes is NOT My Superpower)
- Lui Sit (Land of the Last Wildcat, The Lucky House Detective Agency)
- Patrick Gallagher (Transcendent, Dark Swarm)
Find out more about them, and what they’re looking for in a winning entry – plus top tips for writing!
MEET THE JUDGESClick to find out more
Why Enter: From Young Writer to Published Author
Writing changes things. It builds confidence, unlocks imagination and gives young people a way to make sense of the world around them. Our Young Writers Competition does all of that and then publishes the best work in a real anthology, held in school libraries across the borough.
No matter their age or ability, when young people write they find their creativity. Make sense of their feelings. Define their place in the world. We think that’s worth celebrating.
It’s why we launched Wimbledon BookFest’s Young Writers Competition.
This isn’t just a competition. It’s a chance for young writers to become published authors.
Their story. Their name. Their book.
Every winning and highly commended story or poem is published in the Wimbledon BookFest Anthology, a real, beautifully produced book held in school libraries across the borough. Their words, in print, for keeps.
Winners and runners-up are invited to a prize-giving celebration to receive their certificate and their own copy of the anthology. And one overall winner takes home an iPad. Every shortlisted child receives a certificate, and every state school whose students appear in the anthology will receive two library copies.
This Year’s Theme: The Light
What does The Light mean to children of all ages? A moment of
hope? A flash of inspiration? The first light of morning, or the light at the end of a very long tunnel? This year’s theme is open to interpretation, and we can’t wait to see where young writers take it.
WRITING RESOURCES
We are always looking for ways to improve and increase the reach of our year-round literacy programme.
This year the entry process has changed so be sure to read the guidelines carefully.
We’ve also extended the deadline and created a new Writing Resources pack filled with writing prompts, an image bank and top tips from bestselling children’s authors. Packs will be emailed to all schools who’ve previously taken part. Teachers can email our Schools Liaison to receive a copy.
SEE WHAT’S CHANGEDJuniors Writers: KS1 to Upper KS2
There are two prizes – one for stories and one for poetry – for each of the Key Stages below.
Word count is up to 500 words
- Key Stage 1 – years 1 & 2
- (Lower) Key Stage 2 – years 3 & 4
- (Upper) Key Stage 2 – years 5 & 6
- There is also a separate category for SEN Schools taking part.
Teachers can submit a maximum of 3 entries per category per Key Stage. That could look like three poems and three short stories per Key Stage per school.
JUNIOR BRIEFSeniors Writers: KS3 to KS5
There are two prizes – one for stories and one for poetry – for each of the Key Stages below. Word count is up to 500 words (Maximum)
- Key Stage 3 – years 7, 8 ,9
- Key Stage 4- years 10 & 11
- Key Stage 5 – years 12 & 13
- There is also a separate category for SEN Schools taking part.
Teachers can submit a maximum of 3 entries per category per Key Stage. That could look like three poems and three short stories per Key Stage per school.
SENIOR BRIEFAll entries must be submitted by a teacher or school. If you’d like to submit a home school entry please contact our Schools Liaison, Fran Baxter at [email protected].
Step 1 Download the Entry Form Template below.
Step 2 Screen entries internally and select your strongest work.
Step 3 Submit entries typewritten in Word format via the Submission Form. No PDFs or images. Make sure you refer to the guidelines on how to name and submit entries.
Once we have received your submission, we will send a confirmation email. If you do not receive this email, please contact us.
If you experience difficulties submitting through SharePoint, you can email entries to Fran Baxter, Schools Liaison Officer at [email protected]
Once we’ve received your submission, we’ll send a confirmation email.
Deadline: 8 May, 5pm
SUBMISSION FORM WRITING TEMPLATE
2025…The Legend
The 2025 Young Writers Competition theme was The Legend. Our overall winner was Ana Gumende of Ursuline High School. The Prize Giving Ceremony was presented by award-winning author Emma Carroll.
JUNIOR ANTHOLOGY SENIOR ANTHOLOGY
2024…The Game
In 2024, we were inspired by the Paris Olympics and our Young Writers Competition theme was The Game. Our overall winner was Justin Brown of Melrose School, Mitcham. Our author-in-residence Samira Ahmed presented our Senior Prize-Giving and Former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho presented the Junior Prize-Giving.
JUNIOR ANTHOLOGY SENIOR ANTHOLOGY
2022…The Tree
We were inspired by the timeless symbol of The Tree. Our overall winner was Sara Arshad, from Southfields Academy.
Read 2022’s winning stories and poetry from the senior category Read 2022’s winning stories and poetry from the junior category
2021… My Name is
Overall winner: Jonathan Esenga, Raynes Park High School
Read 2021’s winning stories and poetry from the junior category Read 2021’s winning stories and poetry from the senior category View video of poet Sophia Thakur reading the winning poem
