WRITING COMPETITIONS 2013
In 2013 we’ll be running two writing competitions and giving you more time to get your entries ready. (So make sure you check out the tips for writing and submitting in this post.)
THE COMPETITIONS
1st Competition –1st March to 30 June
Theme: “Real”.
This theme includes a piece of fiction (no more than 500 words) that is set in the real world.
2nd Competition –1st August to 30 November 2013
Theme: “Unreal”.
This theme includes a piece of fiction (no more than 500 words) that is not set in the modern world. (Can include fantasy, history, science fiction etc)
THE PRIZES
Winners in each category will receive
1. A detailed five-page manuscript assessment
2. 2 x e-books on writing from the 10 Top Writing Tips series.
WHO CAN ENTER
Anyone, anywhere in the world, but your entry must be submitted in English.
THE COST
- Entry for children and teens is FREE
- A $10 fee to cover judging and administration costs is payable for ADULTS. Payments can be made here.
THE CATEGORIES
The competitions will be judged in 3 categories:
- 8 to 12 year-old writers
- teen writers
- adult writers
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR ALL ENTRIES
Please make sure your submission follows these guidelines:
Submissions must be no longer than 500 words. They can be a complete story or just a part of one.
All entries must be in the following format:
- 12 point type…Arial or Times Roman
- Double spaced (between the lines). To double space your work, select it and go to the format menu, select paragraph and choose ‘double line’ in the ‘line spacing’ box.
- 3cm margins all the way around
Please email your submission to Dee*at*Deescribe*dot*com*dot*au
All emails should include the following information in the subject line:
- Name of writer
- Name of story
- Age category being entered
- Name of competition
Competitions exclude picture books and poetry.
WRITING & SUBMISSION TIPS
- Try to show the reader what’s happening through action and dialogue rather than telling them.
- Try and keep your tenses consistent – if you start writing in past tense (we had, she ran etc), keep this consistent throughout your story.
- Make sure you ‘double space’ your entry.
- Avoid using clichés
- Include as much conflict and action as you can.
- Try to introduce your main character straight away and allow your reader to connect with them and want to follow their journey.
- ALWAYS follow submission guidelines.
Unfortunately due to the large number of entries we have been receiving, entries are now limited to one per person.
COMPETITION ENTRY CHECKLIST
Before you send your entry please check that:
- Your name doesn’t appear on your piece of writing, but DOES appear on your email.
- In the subject line of your email, you have included your name, name of the competition, name of your story and the age category you are entering (8-12, teen or adult). (The age category is THE AGE OF THE WRITER not the age of the target readership)
- Your entry is double spaced, 12 point type with three centimetre margins all round.
- Each paragraph starts on a separate line.
- You have checked your entry for spelling and grammar mistakes, and missing words.
- Your entry is written in English and does not exceed 500 words.
- Your entry is NOT a picture book or written in verse.
- If you are entering the ADULT section you include your payment reference number
- You are sending your entry to Dee*at*Deescribe*dot*com*dot*au
Please leave any questions in the ‘comments’ section of this page.
Please feel free to share this competition with others and let them know about this site.
Hi Dee, I’m feeling a touch of trepedation about entering; reckon the 8 yo have a better chance. But excitement over rules, so I’m gonna have a go! Love your new site and venture. It’s brilliant, so useful and benefical especially for young aspiring writers. I’ve linked it to my Kids page on my blog, as I so often get asked by school aged kids how they should go about writing ‘their’ book. Thank you for this tremendous boost for them. Dimity
Hi Dimity,
Thanks for dropping in. It’s okay, you don’t have to compete in the 8 yo category:) So glad you are going to enter and thanks for your lovely comments about the blog and for adding it to your Kids’ page.
I really appreciate your support.
Happy writing:)
Dee:)
Dee, Question: How many times are you permitted to enter the First Page comp? Curious, Dimity
Hi Dimity,
You can enter as many times as you like.
Dee:)
Any type of story Dee?? Picture story all the way through to adult novels?
P.s, i like this heeheehee
Yep Kelly,
Any type of story…but just the first page:)
Glad you like it.
Dee:)
Dee! Pls disregard my msgs and emails to you! For some reason I wasn’t notified of your replies here so thanks…will get back to the first pages now! Cheers Dimity
Just checking, do you insert your submission as an attachment or in the actual email?
Hi Joshua,
It’s fine if you send it as an attachment.
Cheers
Dee
Just wondering, is it just one word document A4 page because I’ve got a prologue that’s about one and a half and I want to submit it.
Hi Joshua,
Unfortunately, it is just one A4 page. That makes it fair for everyone because then they will be submitting the same amount.
When I enter competitions like this I always submit the first page of the manuscript rather than the prologue. Judges want to see how you start your story. They won’t expect to know everything about your story from the first page. They want to meet your characters and see how you introduce them. They want to know what happened to start this story off for your character. They want to get an idea of what sort of story it is and where the story might be heading.
I recently wrote a post for this blog about 10 tips for writing a great first page (http://writingclassesforkids.com/10-tips-for-writing-a-great-first-page/) You may find it helpful.
If you have any other questions please let me know and I’ll be happy to answer them for you.
Good luck with your competition entry. I look forward to reading your first page.
Dee
Hi Dee
I’ve been lurking on this blog for a while and feel inspired to enter your comp – but I’m confused. The comp rules state a 500 word piece as the entry limit, but when double spaced in 12 point font, I’ve got a little over 2 A4 sized pages.
When you responded to Joshua, and said it was limited to 1 x A4 sized page, were you referring to a different comp?
Please help, I dont want to forfeit by not following rules.
Jo
Thanks for your enquiry Jo,
My response to Joshua was for a previous ‘first page’ writing competition where only the first page could be submitted.
For this comp, two pages is fine as long as it’s less than 500 words.
Sorry for the confusion.
I look forward to reading your entry.
Dee
Aha!
I should have figured it out from the date of his entry.
Ok, gotta go get something ready to submit.
Jo
Hi Dee, I might have missed it but have the Nov Comp results come out yet? Curiously yours Dimity
Hi Dimity,
So many fantastic entries in the writing comp. Judge’s report and results out in next couple of days.
Dee:)
G’day Dee,
)
Thanks for posting the intended themes list for your quarterly comps. Great ideas with lots of scope for everyone. Ques: Is the average wc for subs going to be 500 for each comp? Keen to get something on paper (after a good long think about it naturally
Cheers Dimity
Hi Dimity,
The average subs will be 500 words but they don’t have to be the entire story – they can be an extract.
I am also hoping to run a picture book competition at the blog at some stage.
Happy writing:)
Dee
Hi, I live in Dubai . Can I enter the competition ?
Thanks for your enquiry, Venika,
You can enter from anywhere in the world as long as your entry is in English.
Happy writing:)
Dee
Hi Dee,
I am 10 yrs old and want to enter this competitions badly but are the prize books suitable for children?
Thanks so much!!!
P.S. This is the first reasonable kids writing competition I have found so far!
Hi,
All the book prizes in the children’s section are suitable for children. Good luck with your writing.
Dee:)
Hi, if we don’t win, do we get a certificate of participation?
Hi Petrina,
Yes, you will receive a certificate of participation.
Happy writing:)
Dee
O ya, by the way, when will the results for the ‘Fantasy story’ competition be out?
Hi Petrina,
The “Fantasy Story” competition closes on 31st March. It usually takes two to three weeks to judge all the entries. So results will be announced mid to end of April.
Happy writing:)
Dee
One more question… often in comps the judges don’t want the names of the entrant on the actual manuscript. What is your policy? Just doing my formatting now, and don’t want to make any mistakes.
Thanks, Cate
Hi Cate,
Thanks for asking. Your name shouldn’t be on the actual manuscript, but the name of the story should be. Can you please also include the name of your story in your covering email.
Thanks and good luck:)
Dee
Hi Dee,
I am a bit unsure, as I am 11 years old, what a manuscript assessment is. Is it when a proffesional edits your work? Also, do the books that are the prizes have to be written by Felicity Pulman? I am concerned that if I win that i won’t even be able to read the book until I am twenty!
Thanks,
Eva
Hi Eva,
A manuscript assessment is a professional edit. Not all the prizes are books by Felicity Pulman. The books are chosen to suit the age of the winners. I know I am getting back to you pretty late as I have been out all day so if you send me your entry tomorrow, that will be fine.
I look forward to reading your story.
Dee:)
Hi Dee,
Good luck to all the entrants. Fantasy is such a popular genre, I’m guessing you’ll get a tonne of entries.
Still, I’ve taken the plunge and submitted! Phew!
Silly me, I didn’t see the last comment in this thread prior to submitting, and realise I left my name in the header. Duh – it’s a comp – of course it should be anonymous. Should I resubmit with a version minus my name?
Thanks Jo,
I have to admit we’ve had a lot of entries. I’m glad you took the plunge and submitted. It’s fine to leave your name in the header. I actually prefer it so I can match the stories up to the people who sent them.
I prefer not to have author names on the entries themselves.
No need to resubmit.
Happy writing:)
Dee
Sorry I meant results. The link to the results
Hi Marie,
The results will be announced on this blog http://writingclassesforkids.com in about two weeks.
Dee:)
Hi Dee,
Just checking if this is right for the 2nd Quarter writing competition. The story can be longer than 500 words but you only want the first 500 words submitted? Or the total number of words for the complete story must be 500 words or less?
Have just found this website and it’s great.
Thanks,
Rachel
Thanks for your question, Rachel,
You’re right, the story can be longer than 500 words but the part you submit must be no more than 500 words.
I’m glad you like my site.
Good luck with your submission:)
Cheers
Dee
Hi Dee,
Just another question about the belonging and displacement writing comp. Should the story be aimed towards children or can it be a story written for adults?
Thanks,
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
Your story doesn’t have to be for children. It can be for adults.
Happy writing:)
Dee
This competition, in my opinion, is fair and creative. It has greatly inspired me. Thanks, Dee! Just one question – can we email it to the same address as we did for the first quarter?
Yes Reena,
All entries for all writing competitions are this blog can be emailed to Dee*at*DeeScribe*dot*com*dot*au
Happy writing:)
Dee
Hi Dee,
With the 500 word limit for the “belonging” story – do you have to count the words in the title as well?
Thanks,
Rachel
HI Rachel,
You don’t have to include the words in the title in your 500 word limit.
Dee
hi, when will the results for the “belonging” story be out?
The results will be out in about three weeks.
Dee
Hi Dee,
I recently entered the 2nd quarter competition and I got a commendation. Yay!!
I am going to enter the 3rd quarter competition so I was just wondering if I could make it any fiction genre, e.g – Sci/Fi in the future etc.
Would that be a bit too unusual for my age??
P.S – Thank you for giving me a commendation and I hope for more amazing competitions in the future.
Thanks,
Rachel
That’s fine, Rachel,
Genre doesn’t matter. I look forward to reading your story.
I’m so glad you are happy with your award.
Dee:)
hey guys i am 12 years old and i love to write, write anything!! but there is a slight issue….. i live in the uk can i still enter?? its just i am searching the web ALL the time and i cant find any competitions that are right for me!
if i cant enter is it possible that could recommend any to me? my favourite genre is modern family life !! so sorry if i am wasting your time!!
thanks katie
Katie, that is fantastic that you love to write.
It doesn’t matter where in the world you live, you are welcome to enter our writing competitions.
We look forward to reading your story.
Dee
HI i’ts Bryce Thomson, dad. I emailed a story for the kids section using Fact in Fiction 8-12 yrs old. I haven’t heard a reply to acknowledge the story has been received I look forward to hearing from you.
Bruce
Hi Bruce and Bryce,
I did receive your entry, thanks. Due to the large number of entries I receive it’s difficult to respond individually to each one.
Judging is currently taking place and results will be announced in the next week or so.
Thanks for entering the competition.
Dee
I appreciate your reply, Bryce is warming to write about “Journey” in the latest section. thank-you
Hello Dee,
I have received the results via e-mail but when will the results be released on this website?
Thank-you
Hi Kathleen,
The results were released on the website here: http://writingclassesforkids.com/writing-competition-winners-announced-3/
Happy writing
Dee
Hi,
Do we have to finish the whole story in one page? Or can we just have a introduction?
xoxo
No you don’t have to finish the whole story, you can just send in the first part of it.
Happy writing:)
Dee
is it possible to send any poetry?
Hi Samudra,
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, we don’t accept poetry in these competitions, but Alphabet Soup Magazine http://www.alphabetsoup.net.au/ publishes some poetry written by young writers.
Dee
hi, is this where the story is sent by the young writer?
Hi Vicki,
Thanks for your comment.
Please email your entry double spaced, with the name of the story and the name and age of the writer to Dee*at*deescribe*dot*com*dot*au
Thanks.
Happy writing:)
Dee
Hi Dee, the competition ‘journey’ are they are stories for children?
Hi Vicki, These stories don’t have to be for children but they can be. It’s entirely up to you.
Dee:)
Hi Dee my entry is submitted but it is part of a story. as per guidelines. Thank you.
This looks great Dee. I’ve loved participating. Really gets my writing juices flowing. Did pen something for the last quarter but no time to primp and perfect it
Love the layout for next year. I will be passing it on to some interested parties. Are adults still permitted to have a go too?! Cheers Dimity
Thanks Dimity,
Adults can still enter the competitions, but there’s a $10 entry fee for them. Unfortunately I needed to start charging this to pay for books, postage and admin etc. Kids are still FREE and I hope to keep it that way:)
Dee
Hi, can kids in America enter your competitions?
Hi Alison,
Kids anywhere in the world can enter the writing competitions at this blog as long as they submit their entry in English.
Dee:)
Hi Dee,
I am a librarian at an international school in Tokyo, Japan. I would love to tell our students about this competition and have them take par!. All of the curriculum at our school is in English so they will be submitting their writing pieces in English. We have students who love to write and I think will be motivated by having professionals look at their work. My question is, if we have our students participate will that open them up to solicitations to join an online writing class in the future? If not, then I will love to tell my students both elementary and high school about the competition. We also have some teachers who are interested in writing professionally and they might be interested in submitting pieces as well. Please let me know. Thank you.
Hi Janelle,
Thanks for your enquiry. I’m the author who runs these competitions purely with the intention of encouraging and supporting kids who love to write. There will be absolutely no pressure on them to join online writing classes in the future. I plan to always keep the competitions free for young writers, but I do need to charge a $10 fee for adult writers to cover administration and the costs of prizes.
Please feel free to ask if you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Dee
Do we send the writing to Dee@describe.com.au
Hello Dee. I was curious because you contest looked very interesting. I mainly wanted ti know if we can apply for both contests, and or if we can apply for the Unreal contest now.
Hi Elizabeth,
You can apply for both contests, but you can only apply for the ‘real’ competition now. Opening and closing dates for both competitions can be found here: http://writingclassesforkids.com/competitions-2/
Happy writing:)
Dee
Hi! This looks like something my 8 year old daughter would be interested in. She recently wrote a realistic fiction book with illustrations. Can I submit that under “real”? And can I send the story without the illustrations (because I have no idea how I would do that on the computer). Thanks for your time and for encouraging writing.
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your post. This is a writing competition, so entries can’t be illustrated anyway. You can just send in the text as a word document attachment.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I look forward to reading your daughter’s entry:)
Dee
hi
i was woundering can you help me with my story its first tim entering a comp thx
jess xx
p.s im 11
Hi Jess,
Feel free to email me *Dee*at*deescribe*dot*com*dot*au with your questions. I’m happy to help.
Dee
Hi, may I know it’s alright to write a fantasy story set in the real world for the theme “Real”?
Hi Kay,
That’s perfectly fine.
Dee:)
Hello, I have just read the above post and noticed this competition. I would like to ask what Dee*at*Deescribe*dot*com*dot*au actually means. Is it an e-mail address? If so, how can I possibly send an e-mail to such an address? Thank you for your kind attention!
What? How do I enter the Unreal one?
Hi Elena,
Thanks for your question. The Unreal competition is not open yet. When it opens (after the other one has closed), details will be announced on this blog.
Thanks.
Dee
Hi there, I am a 16 year old student from Malaysia.
Just wondering whether I could enter this competition?
I would really love to!
And how will the winners be notified?
Thanks a lot.
Hi Cheryl,
You can enter the teen section of the competition.
Winners are advised by email and announced on this blog.
Thanks.
Dee
Would I be able to submit poems, or just stories?
Hi Grace,
Unfortunately, we only accept stories in this particular competition.
Happy writing:)
Dee
hi
my daughter is 7 years old.she wants to write .how i can send help her and send her entry .pease let me know the closing date.
regards
priya
Hi Priya,
Your daughter can send her entry to me at Dee*at*Deescribe*dot*com*dot*au The closing date for the competition is 30 June.
It’s normally open to kids 8+ but if your daughter is a good writer she is welcome to enter but she will be in the 8 to 12 year old category so she will be competing against older children.
The story must be 500 words or less.
Kind regards,
Dee
Hi Dee, I’m wondering if I can just put my last name initial for the writing?
Regards,
N.L
Hi Nalia,
As long as I have your email address and the age category you are entering, it doesn’t matter what name you put on your entry.
I hope this helps.
Dee