The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition, the annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award, is now open.
The competition aims to find and encourage writers of the future, something author Henrietta Branford was always keen to do. Anyone under the age of 19 can enter the competition.
This year’s competition is inspired by 2023 Branford Boase Award winner Christine Pillainayagam’s book, Ellie Pillai is Brown, and this line in particular: ‘I think you have presence, something special about you. Something different’.
It invites entrants to write a short story, or a poem, or a set of song lyrics about a character who has ‘presence’, and something special and different about them.
Six winners will receive signed copies of each of the books shortlisted for the 2023 Branford Boase Award. Their stories, poems or song lyrics will be published on the Branford Boase Award website.
The closing date is Friday 31st May 2024.
Chairing the Award is Prue Goodwin, consultant and lecturer in literacy learning and children’s literature. Prue says ‘Remember, this writing is not a piece of schoolwork, it won’t be marked by the judges, just read to be enjoyed. Try to make the final version as original as possible. The theme is there to help you get going, so use it to take your ideas wherever you want. Enjoy writing, and good luck!’
Full entry instructions, terms & conditions are available here.
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