Young Writers Wanted!

Nicola Collings
Oct 24
2 min read

Forest 1st Tutoring Short Story Competition

Following the success of our two incredible books: The Guinea Pig Saga and Fur and Feathers Fight for the World, we're delighted to announce our new Children’s Short Story Competition!

We will share the winning stories on our website and your creativity with the world. The competition is open to all children, aged 5 - 12, who love storytelling, whether you’ve written before or you're just beginning. Your story can have any theme — the only limit is your imagination! Up to 600 words only please.

Prizes

🥇 1st Prize: £40 Waterstones voucher

🥈 Runner-up: £25 Waterstones voucher

🏅 Highly Commended entries: special certificates to celebrate your creativity

All stories will be read and judged by people who are truly passionate about books, stories, and young writers — including our published young authors and members of the Forest 1st Tutoring team, who love helping children discover their writing voice.

Tips and Inspiration for Your Story

Not sure what to write about? Here are some ideas to spark your imagination:

Animal Adventures – Imagine what happens when your pet sneaks out for the night or leads a secret double life!
Fantasy Worlds – Create your own land of dragons, mermaids or astronauts.
Mysteries and Missions – Could your character uncover a hidden secret or solve a puzzle that changes everything?
Friendship and Courage – Tell a story about standing up for what’s right or helping someone in need.
Everyday Magic – What if something extraordinary happened on your way to school, in your garden, or local park?

Remember — a great story doesn’t need to be long. What matters most is creativity, imagination, and heart.

Top Writing Tips

Start with a hook – Make your reader want to know what happens next.
Create memorable characters – Give them dreams, fears, or a problem to solve.
Show, don’t tell – Instead of saying “she was scared,” describe her trembling hands or racing heart.
Keep it clear – Try to make every sentence count.
End with impact – Surprise your reader or leave them thinking!

At Forest 1st Tutoring, we love seeing young writers develop confidence, imagination, and a passion for storytelling. So, sharpen your pencils (or open your laptop), and let your creativity take flight. We can’t wait to read your stories and see what wonderful worlds you create next!

How to Enter

Children can enter at any time from now until the deadline, which is 21st November.

To take part, simply send your short story (typed or clearly written) to:

scott@forest-1st-tutoring.co.uk or bring it with you to your lesson.

Please include your name, age, and a contact telephone number of a parent.

Children will be notified the week beginning 1st December, so use this half term to get your thinking caps on and write the best story ever!