SHORT STORY COMPETITION

Entries are now open for the 2025 Swadlincote Festival of Words Children's Short Story Competition

Hosted by Holmes at Home English Tuition, the short story competition is open to children and young people up to the age of 16. There are 3 age categories with prizes for the winners. They are:

Age 7 and under

8-11 years

12-16 years

The theme is Happiness, which can be interpreted in any way you wish. It could be a dramatic story with a happy ending, someone struggling to find happiness or just a lovely, happy story!

To enter, send your story to holmesenglishtuition@gmail.com. The story must have a name, a title and state which age category (‘7 and under’, ‘8-11’ or ‘12-16’) is being entered.

Entries close on 31st January 2025 and the winners will be announced during the Swadlincote Festival of Words, 20-23 March 2025.

The competition is free to enter. Stories should not be more than 500 words and must be entered before the closing date. You can present and structure your story as you wish – pictures and illustrations are welcome!

Stories can be typed or be handwritten and scanned (but they must be legible). Stories should not have been published elsewhere and should not involve articifial intelligence (AI) in any way. Please retain a copy of your story, as the one that is entered cannot be returned.

Your personal information will only be used to communicate with you in relation to the Swadlincote Festival of Words Short Story Competition. We will never share your information.

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund #UKSPF