Usborne launches Young Writers’ Award

Publisher Usborne is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its ‘Fabulous Fiction’ list with the launch of its brand new writing competition for children.

Children are being invited to let their imaginations run riot to complete one of five story-starters by authors Malcolm Rose, Sue Mongredien, Leila Rasheed, Graham Marks and Ann Bryant. The story subjects range from murder mystery to fairy tale adventure so there is a style to suit every taste.

Five winners will each receive a trip to Usborne House in London to meet the authors, an author visit and £100 of Usborne books, plus a year’s free subscription to readingzone.com and Young Writer Magazine.

The competition is open to UK children up to and including the age of 14 on 23rd October 2009, the closing date for the competition. They should download the story starters from the competition website and complete one of the stories in no more than 1000 words (excluding the starter).

BBC Newsreader and Newsnight presenter, Emily Maitlis, is supporting the award. She said: “There are few better feelings in the world than being immersed in a fantastic book – storytelling is such an amazing art and one I appreciate more and more the older I get. I am delighted if this award encourages children to have a go themselves – for the sheer pleasure it will bring, and for the hidden discovery, perhaps, of hidden talents. I can’t wait to read the pieces myself and wish the participants courage and inspiration.”

Full details of how to enter can be found on the Usborne Young Writers’ Award website. The site also includes teacher’s notes on using the Usborne Young Writers’ Award as a classroom activity.