This is the News
The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition
Each year there is a special award for the best first novel written for children or young people. It is called the Branford Boase Award in memory of the wonderful children’s author, Henrietta Branford, and her brilliant editor, Wendy Boase, both of whom died tragically young of cancer. Who knows, YOU might one day have your first published novel put in for this award if you decide to write for young people! See www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk
However, in the meantime, if you are 18 or younger you are eligible to enter the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition. Henrietta planned this before her death so that she could honour the up-and-coming generation of writers. That’s YOU!
This year you are being asked to continue an opening paragraph to write a short story not longer than 2,000 words (it needn’t be that long!). Here is Jenny Downham’s starting paragraph. Copy and paste the story into your word processing document or print it out to get started…
‘What’s in here then?’ Corey comes up beside me and squints into the cage.
‘A python.’
He watches it with me for about five seconds. It looks sad in there, all curled up on itself.
‘It doesn’t do much, does it?’ He taps on the glass. The python doesn’t stir. He taps again.
‘It says don’t bang on the glass,’ I tell him, pointing to the sign.
He narrows his eyes at me, says, ‘You always follow the rules, don’t you?’
It makes me smile, because he’s so wrong. I’m about to turn the whole world upside down. Upside down and inside out.
Send your finished story no later than 22 May 2009 to HBWC, Glebe House, Church Road, Weobley, Herefordshire. HR4 8SD or by email to youngwriter@enterprise.net and be sure to include your name, your age, your postal address and, if possible an email address.
The writers of the best six stories will be invited to meet Jacqueline Wilson at the Branford Boase Award party in London on July 9th, 2009, up to £250 travel expenses paid (UK only). They will also win a copy of each of the books shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and be able to meet the authors AND win a year’s subscription to Young Writer magazine!
GOOD LUCK! We look forward to reading your stories - and remember, you can’t win if you don’t have a go!