Contest Terms & Conditions

These Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) are applicable to all Young Writers' contests unless otherwise stated. If a contest has different T&Cs, these will be clearly stated on the contest page/ contest entry form(s).

By entering any of Young Writers' contests, you agree to accept and be bound by these T&Cs. All entry instructions form part of the T&Cs of Young Writers' contests.

Terms of Entry

Terms of Entry are provided in contest packs to teachers/organisations by post and available to download at the relevant contest page.

  • Entry to any Young Writers' contest is FREE and no purchase is necessary to enter or win a prize for individuals or schools.
  • Work must be original (not copied).
  • Contests are open to different age ranges and will be clearly presented on any contest materials and contest web pages. Contests are also listed in school types: Elementary School, Middle School and High School.
  • Contest closing dates are clearly marked on any contest materials and contest web pages.
  • Young Writers' main contests usually run once a year. This is subject to change, but prizes for launched contests will not be affected.
  • The promoter of Young Writers' contests is Bonacia Ltd. Registered Address: Remus House, Coltsfoot Drive, Peterborough, PE2 9BF, UK. Bonacia Ltd. is a Limited Liability company incorporated in England and Wales, with registered number 05368980. VAT registration number is 102781343.

Publishing Criteria

Our Editorial team select work to be published based on several criteria, which is age-relevant:

7-11 Year-Olds (Elementary School)
  • Creativity
  • Imagination
  • Use of language
  • Originality
  • Interpretation of theme (if applicable)
  • Age is taken into consideration
  • Any learning difficulties editors are made aware of are taken into consideration
11-18 Year-Olds (Middle and High School)
  • Creativity
  • Imagination
  • Technical writing ability
  • Originality
  • Interpretation of theme (if applicable)
  • Age is taken into consideration
  • Any learning difficulties editors are made aware of are taken into consideration

All entrants have a realistic chance of seeing their work in print (average 60%). Entrants who are chosen for publication will be asked for parent/guardian's permission to publish the work. Published entrants are then considered for a prize.

Winners' Criteria

  • Being chosen for publication is not “winning” the contest.
  • Winners are chosen as the best writer or poet in the book, based on the publishing criteria above.
  • Winners are picked through a panel of judges; Young Writers' Editorial Team and Mark Grist (Young Writers' Independent Poetry & Literary Adjudicator).
  • Winners' must be published in the book (permission to publish must have been given before the deadline provided to parents/guardians).
  • There is no purchase necessary to win a prize.
  • Student/Independent entry winners' names, ages, schools (if applicable), book title and piece of work are displayed in the winners' section of the Young Writers' website.
  • By accepting the prize, student winners agree to their name, age, school (if applicable), book title and piece of work being displayed in the winners' section of the Young Writers’ website; school winners agree to their name, location and book title the work is published in being displayed in the winners' section of the Young Writers’ website and being stated in a press release to local media.
  • Prizes are as stated on each contest page. Student prizes that are advertised per book are awarded and announced upon publication of each title. Student prizes that are advertised per term are awarded and announced in the following term. Student prizes advertised per contest are awarded and announced in the following academic year. School prizes are awarded in the following academic year. Winners are notified in writing.

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