The Morrab Library Children’s Short Story Competition 2025

Please read the competition rules carefully before entering to check that the story is eligible. Entry implies acceptance of all the rules stated below. Failure to comply with the rules and formatting requirements will result in disqualification.

Competition rules:

1. Entries close on Friday 11th July 2025 at 16:00 (BST). Entries submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
2. 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.
3. The children’s competition has three age categories: 4 -7, 8- 11, 12-16 years of age. Please enter the relevant category based on the age of the child at the time of entering. 
4. The story must be the child’s original work.
5. Previously published work is not eligible. The story must not have been previously self-published, published online (website, blog, social media),  or in print, or broadcast, or accepted for publication. The story must not have been a winner in a previous competition. If a story is published elsewhere after being submitted for this competition, it must be withdrawn from the competition by emailing: shortstory@morrablibrary.org.uk.  
6. Simultaneous submissions to other competitions are allowed on the understanding that you will immediately withdraw the story from The Morrab Library Children’s Short Story Competition if it wins elsewhere. To withdraw the entry please email: shortstory@morrablibrary.org.uk
7. The responsible adult can submit one story only, per child, to the competition – put their best story forward!
8. If you are a teacher entering on behalf of multiple children – i.e. class teachers – please fill in the ‘Teacher’s Entry Form’ (which can be found on our website) and send the stories alongside the completed entry form to shortstory@morrablibrary.org.uk or post them to Short Story Competition, The Morrab Library, Morrab Gardens, Penzance, TR18 4DA.
9. Alterations cannot be made to stories once submitted.
10. Copyright remains with the author,  whilstThe Morrab Library reserves the right to have entries performed on the radio, TV, or stage, published on the internet, in a book or used for publicity purposes at any stage in the future. 
11. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into and the competition judges, staff of The Morrab Library will not provide feedback on entries.
12. The Morrab Library reserves the right to change the judging panel without notice. 
13. Should the entry be chosen as the winner, runner up or awarded as highly commended, the child’s name will be shared on The Morrab Library website, relevant social media posts and in a press release.
14. Winning entries will be shared on our website, social media, and used for press purposes. Physical copies of all of the shortlisted stories will be  displayed in The Morrab Library and retained in The Morrab Library’s archives. 
15. Any photographs taken of the winning entrants may be used on our website and in social media and for press purposes unless consent is expressly withheld and recorded on the competition entry form.
16. When winners are selected we will check what name they wish to use before sharing  – pen names will be allowed.
17. The Morrab Library reserves the right to withhold prizes if such an action is justified.

 Entry formatting rules: 

1. Stories can be submitted via the entry form on The Morrab Library’s website, or posted (to Short Story Competition, The Morrab Library, Morrab Gardens, Penzance, TR18 4DA) or delivered in person to the same address. The library is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm.  
2. If submitting a story by post then the postal entry form must be printed and signed by the parent/ guardian and included in the envelope along with the story. Stories without the accompanying form will not be accepted. We regret that we are unable to return any posted stories to the writer so please make sure to keep your own copy.
3. All entries are judged anonymously; therefore the name of the child must not appear anywhere in the story itself, or in the file name or title. Entries submitted with the name of the child in the title, story document, or file name, will be disqualified. 
4. The story must be written in the English language. 
5. The story must not exceed 1000 words (approximately 2 sides of A4 paper). If possible, please include a word count at the top of the first page of your story. 
6. If the story is typed out it can be in any legible font in 12pt, black. You can also write it by hand. 
7. The story must be formatted as a pdf file. This ensures that the story is entered with its intended formatting.
8. The file name should be the title of the story, or, for untitled pieces, please use the first line of the story instead.

Q: I am a teacher and would like to enter stories from all of the children in my class. Do I have to enter them individually on the online entry form? 

You can download the ‘Teacher’s Entry Form‘ to enter multiple stories from your class.

By submitting this form you are confirming that you have obtained the parent or guardian’s permission to submit their child’s story to the competition. By completing the information on the form, you are giving us permission to record and use some personal information about the children you are responsible for. We use this information for the sole purpose of administering this competition. The Children’s Competition Privacy Policy can be found here,  and full Privacy Policy at morrablibrary.org.uk/privacy-policy you may withdraw your consent at any time.

Q: I have written lots of stories this summer, can I enter more than one story to the competition?

A: No. We are asking for writers to put their best story forward for this competition. 

Q: Is the title included in word count? 

A: No. The title is not included in the word count. The story must not exceed 1000 words (approximately 2 sides of A4 paper). If possible, please include a word count at the top of the first page of your story. Unfortunately, your story will be disqualified if it is over the word count.

Q: Does the story have to be typed out? 

A: Typing out the competition entry might make it easier for the judges to read your story, so if you are able to type it out then please do. Handwritten stories will also be accepted.  

Q: Can I make changes to my entry after submission?

A: Unfortunately not.  If you would like to withdraw your entry from the competition then please ask your parent or guardian to email shortstory@morrablibrary.org.uk.

Q: I have noticed spelling errors in my story – will that affect my chance of winning?

A: Don’t worry, 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.

Q: Do you accept entries by email or post?

A:  We are not accepting entries by email this year. You can enter the Children’s Competition for free online, via the entry form on our website (see the ‘How to Enter’ section below). If you’d prefer to post your entry please download, print and fill in the postal entry form (see below).  We’re unable to accept a postal entry to the competition without a completed entry form. 

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. Teachers – please complete the Teacher’s Entry Form on our website.

Please do not post us your only copy of the story. We’re unable to send your stories back to you so make sure to keep a copy.

Q: My story was shortlisted in The Morrab Library Short Story Competition in 2023. Can I re-submit it?

A: Yes, unless it won (first, second, third prize) or has been published elsewhere in the intervening time. 

Q: Are simultaneous submissions to other competitions allowed?

A: Simultaneous submissions to other competitions are allowed on the understanding that you will immediately withdraw the story from The Morrab Library Short Story Competition if it wins elsewhere. To withdraw your entry please email: shortstory@morrablibrary.org.uk.

Q: Must entries be unpublished?

A: Yes. Previously published work is not eligible

Q: Does a story on a blog and social media count as publication?

A: Yes. Your story must not have been previously self-published, published online or in print, or broadcast, or accepted for publication. Your story must not have been a winner in a previous competition. If a story is published elsewhere after being submitted for this competition, it must be withdrawn from The Morrab Library Short Story Competition by emailing: shortstory@morrablibrary.org.uk.

Q: Are translations allowed?

A: The author’s translation of their own work into English is eligible but someone else’s translation of their work is not eligible. 

Q: Can I use a pen name?

A: Please complete the entry form using your child’s full name. When winners are selected we will check what name you wish to use before announcing the winners. Pen names will be allowed when we share the short story on social media, press releases and on our website.  

Q: Can I include artwork, photographs or illustrations in my short story? 

A: We will not be judging the story based on any accompanying illustrations. 

Q: I accidentally included my child’s details on the story I submitted to the competition. Will it be disqualified?

A: All entries need to be judged anonymously so it may be disqualified. If you realise that your child’s name is anywhere on the document then please email us as soon as possible and we will endeavour to remove it: shortstory@morrablibrary.org.uk. 

Q:  Can you check that the story I entered is the one I intended to enter?

A: Unfortunately we will not be able to check work once submitted. 

Q: How will I know that my entry has been submitted to the competition? Will I receive a confirmation email? 

A: Please tick the box at the end of the online entry form to accept receiving emails from us about the competition. You will receive an automated email once you have submitted your entry. Unfortunately, we will not be able to send email receipts for postal entries. 

Q: When will the competition winners be notified?

A: Shortlisted writer’s will be notified before the 5th September and invited to an awards ceremony in late September in Penzance. We regret that we are not able to contact everyone who enters the competition to notify them of the results. The full results will be posted on the website before the end of October and any updates in the meantime will be shared on the website too. 

Q: Will you be having a prize giving ceremony and where will it be held? 

All shortlisted writers will be invited to attend a prize giving event at The Morrab Library. The competition winners will be revealed at the prize giving event. Winners will be invited to read during the prize giving event. Shortlisted writers will be asked in advance whether they wish to read their story aloud, should it win the competition, or if they would prefer one of our judges to read it aloud. 

Q: When will the prize money be paid to the competition winners? 

A: The prize money will be paid to the winners as soon as possible after the prize giving.