Morrab Library Children’s Short Story Competition 2023

*** Entries to the Morrab Library Children’s Short Story Writing Competition have now closed. *** 

The parents, guardians or teachers of the shortlisted writers have now  been notified by email so please check to see if your child has been shortlisted for this year’s competition. A big thank you to everyone who entered our Short Story competition for all of your brilliant stories! We will be announcing the competition winners at the end of September so keep an eye on our website and social media to find out more. 

 

We are now welcoming entries to the Morrab Library Children’s Short Story Writing Competition, open to tales written by children living across Cornwall.

It is free to enter and has two age categories – children aged 4 to 11 and 12 to 16.

Entries can be written in any genre or style, and on any subject, but must be told in under 1,500 words and submitted before the closing date – Friday 14th July 2023 (11.59 pm).

Competition judges:
Peter Moffat is a barrister turned-playwright and screenwriter. He was awarded two BAFTAS for his television drama ‘Criminal Justice’ and his series, ‘Your Honour,’ starring Bryan Cranston, aired in 2020.

Annamaria Murphy is a teacher and writer. She has written for Kneehigh Theatre and writes for BBC Radio 4 and many more. She is also artistic director of the Writers’ Block, and collaborates with musicians Bagas Degol.

Des Hannigan is a journalist, travel writer and photographer who has written many travel essays and magazine features. He is the author or joint author of over fifty travel guides, mainly for Lonely Planet and AA Publishing.

The prizes: 

The competition is sponsored by Morrab Library member Nigel Castle.

The prizes in both age categories are the same:

1st prize: £100.

2nd prize: a voucher to the Minack Theatre,  generously donated by the venue.

3rd prize: a high-quality Scrivener pen.

Shortlisted writers will be notified by the end of August 2023 and the prizes will be given at a prize giving event at Morrab Library later this year.

 

How to enter:

All entries must be submitted by an adult capable of giving permission on behalf of the child: parent/guardian or the child’s teacher who has obtained the parent or guardian’s permission. 

Entries can be submitted online via this Google form: 

Click here to enter the competition online
 Or, if you would like to submit your entry by post, please print and fill in the postal entry form below and send the completed form, along with the story, to: Short Story Competition, Morrab Library, Morrab Gardens, Penzance TR18 4DA.

 

Click here for the postal entry form

 

 

A note to teachers:  here is the ‘Teacher’s Entry Form’ for you to complete for your class and send to us along with their entries to. shortstory@morrablibrary.org.uk.

 

Competition rules:

Please read the competition rules carefully to make sure that your story is eligible.
Click here to read the full competition rules
 

  • All entries must be submitted by an adult capable of giving permission on behalf of the child: parent/guardian or the child’s teacher who has obtained the parent or guardian’s permission.
  • There are two categories: 4-11 years or age 12-16.
  • One entry per child.
  • The child must live in Cornwall.
  • Please include the word count at the top right of the first page.
  • The story can be typed in any font, 12pt, black, or it can be handwritten.
  • Entries must be written in the English language.
  • The file name should be the title of the story only, or, for untitled pieces, please use the first line of the story instead.
  • Please don’t include your name or any biographical information in the story file itself, or in the file name or title, so that entries can be judged anonymously.
  • It is not necessary to have good spelling or perfect grammar to enter – stories will be judged on originality and creativity, rather than how they are executed.
  • The judges’ decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries.
  • Copyright of each entry remains with the author.
  • Winning entries will be shared on our website, social media, and used for press purposes. Physical copies will be retained in Morrab Library’s archives.
  • Simultaneous submissions to other competitions are allowed.
  • Previously published work is not eligible.
  • When winners are selected we will check what name you wish to use before sharing  – pen names will be allowed.
  • Should this entry be chosen as the winner, runner up or awarded as highly commended, the name and age of the child will be shared on Morrab Library website, relevant social media posts and in a press release.
  • We assume consent to take and use photographs of winning entrants on our website and in social media, and for press purposes unless otherwise stated.
The Morrab Library Children’s Short Story Competition Privacy Policy can be found here and our full Privacy Policy can be found here.

Other enquiries:

For press enquiries, or if you would like to receive a pdf of the competition poster to display in your school, library or other venue, please email harriet@morrablibrary.org.uk.