Children's Story Competition Guidelines
It's important that you read our guidelines carefully to ensure that your story is entered correctly into the competition.
- The competition is open to 7 to 18 year olds.
- If you are 18 years old, to be eligible for this competition, your 19th birthday must not fall on or after the 1st November.
- Your story must be no more than 1000 words.
- All entries must be in English.
- All entries must include the correct entry fee of £5 per story.
- Cheques and postal orders must be made out to Chapter One Promotions.
- No cash to be sent in with your story. We only accept cheques or postal orders. You can buy postal orders from your nearest Post Office.
- You may enter as many times as you like along with the correct entry fee for each story.
- Your story may be typed or hand written.
- Entries are welcome from abroad from English Nationals or English speakers.
- Submissions and payments accepted online with parent's permission only.
- The prizes in all categories are: 1st prize £150, 2nd prize £75, 3rd prize £50.
- The school which submits the best collection of stories will be awarded a trophy and £200 worth of books.
- The story must be your own work and previously unpublished or seen on any other writer's forum.
- The winning stories, the best runners up and the highly commended will be printed in a book alongside the winning drawings from the Young Illustrator's Competition.
- The book will be available to buy through our website.
- The deadline is midnight on Friday 31st October 2008. Please send in your entry before or on this date. Any stories received after the deadline will not be entered into the competition.
- For postal entries, send a 2nd class stamped addressed postcard so that we can let you know that your story arrived safely and on time. Remember to include your story title and we will sign it and send it back to you.
- For a list of all the winners, send a 2nd class stamped addressed envelope to us marked, 'Kid's Korner Competition Winners 2008' and we will post the results to you.
- Only the Winners will be notified by post or through their school, college or youth club.
- A story already written for a school project, that fits the theme of the competition and is no longer than 1000 words, is permitted.
- NO personal details are to be placed anywhere on your story.
- All stories are non returnable. Please keep a copy.
- All contact details must be written on a separate sheet of paper and sent along with your story.
- Your contact details are your full name, address, age, e-mail address (if you have one), name of your school/college/youth club and as well as the story title(s).
- Only the winner's first names and ages will be displayed on the website.
Tips:
Story
- Be imaginative and descriptive and create interesting characters.
- Write a story that is engaging and intriguing.
- Choose a title that fires your imagination and one that you feel confident you can write something good about.
- Write a beginning that captures the reader's attention. What happens in the middle to move the story along and how are you going to end it?
- Think about where your story is set and describe it well.
- Once you are happy with your story, read it out loud to check if it sounds right.
Word Count
To check the amount of words using your computer, go to the bar at the top of your screen and click on Tools. Select Word Count and it will tell you how many words you've typed, as well as other interesting stuff.
Spell Check
To check the spellings in your story, on your tool bar select Tools and click on Spelling and Grammar. The display box will show all your spelling mistakes and will give suggestions to choose from. Once you highlight the right word press Change. It will now move on to the next incorrectly spelt word.
Send your entries and payment to us at Children's Story Competition, Chapter One Promotions, 19-35 Sylvan Grove, London, SE15 1PD, England.
If you have any questions then you can call us on 0845 456 5364 or e-mail us.
Return to Children's Story Competition