Competitions
Just-for-fun writing contests for young writers, ages 9 and up.
July Giveaway!
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict
by Trenton Lee Stewart
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This underrated prequel to The Mysterious Benedict Society is an incredible standalone story in its own right, featuring one of the most endearing, clever main characters in storytelling history. (We love this book!)
One winner will receive a paperback copy of The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict. Open internationally to young writers and book-lovers.
Giveaway closes at midnight on July 22nd. The winner will be announced July 26th, (in the evening in NZ).
Fill out the form below to enter!
BONUS ENTRY: Tell us the name of an author you’d love to meet. 👇
(Click on the cover to learn more about it.)
What’s Coming Up Next?
2025 Schedule
May – Short Story Contest ✅
July – Giveaway!
September – Mini Contest
PLEASE NOTE: Schedule may be subject to changes, especially in the case of surprise life happenings, brilliant ideas (that must be implemented instead), sword-fighting outbreaks, and/or hedgehog invasions.
Thor the Viking Sheep’s Most Recent Escapade
(Not for the faint of heart)
While scaling a steep mountainside lately, Thor accidentally discovered a secret door and stumbled upon the hoard of a sleeping dragon.
Due to Thor’s diminutive size (not to be confused for the largeness of his might), he was able to hide himself under a nearby bucket. But alas, as he was fumbling his way toward the exit, he stepped in a small gold band and it got stuck around his hoof. Unfortunately, Thor’s attempts to shake it off awoke the dragon, who muttered, “Not this again.”
Thor abandoned the bucket and made for the door – not from cowardice, mind you, but because he’d rather fight outdoors than on a slippery pile of treasure. The dragon pursued Thor outside, very rudely accusing him of being a thief, then snatched him up in his claws. A great battle ensued in the air, Thor swinging his hammer with much braveness and might.
Thor eventually lost consciousness, but he awoke several hours later to find himself sitting in his favourite armchair with his nose pressed against a worn copy of The Hobbit.
Thor insists that the dragon deposited him back in his chair out of respect for his heroic mid-air fighting skills and that he did NOT fall asleep while reading like some may think. (Viking Sheep take part in heroic adventures, not merely dream about them.)
Unfortunately, no one has been able to verify his story.
Thor would like to tell you all not to worry about him as he is safe and well. And just in case you were wondering what happened to that small gold band… Thor now keeps it in an envelope at home, insisting that it’s very precious to him.
The Great ROBIN HOOD Contest of Stories
~ May 2025
Ages 9-10 – ‘Trouble in London’ by Nathanael Posthuma
Ages 11-12 – ‘A Light in the Lonely Darkness’ by Rose Harris
Ages 13-15 – ‘The Really, Horribly, Not Quite So Bad Day’ by Abbigail Aitken
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Advanced Scribes: Ages 16-18 – ‘Two Sides to Every Tale’ by Bethany Cammell
Mini Contest: March 2025
Word Prompt Challenge
Ages 9-10 – ‘The Case of the Missing Alberts’ by Scout Garea
Ages 11-12 – ‘Dawn Thievery’ by Ruby-Bo Garea
Ages 13-15 – ‘The Finale’ by Talitha Borstad
Ages 16-18 – ‘Finding Words’ by Willow Brooke
Thor’s Choice – ‘DO NOT EVER tell Greek Myths to Kids’ by Rose Whitacre
Giveaway: February 2025
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
A fast-paced read filled with danger, action, lies, and deadly truths.
Giveaway Winner: Catherine Mai
The SECRET IDENTITY Short Story Contest
~ November 2024
Ages 9-10 – ‘Wounds of War’ by Valentina Pohl Fabris
Ages 11-12 – ‘The End of Acheron’ by Gimli of the Dwarves
Ages 13-14 – ‘I didn’t MEAN to blow up the opera house…’ by Meg Bales
Ages 15-16 – ‘Reconciliation’ by Willow Brooke
Mini Contest: September 2024
Winning Entries:
‘The Cure’ – Valentina Pohl Fabris, Age 10
‘The Reflection of a Thousand Possiblities’ – Talia Millership, Age 12
‘Mrs. Harris’s Millinery Shop’ – Talitha, Age 13
‘Mirror of the Earth’ – Myla, Age 14
‘The Future We Have’ – Anais Haythornthwaite, Age 16
Giveaway – August 2024
The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt
A young messenger. A secret mission. A kingdom in peril.
Giveaway Winner: Alayah
May Short Story Contest
~ May 2024
Ages 9-10 – ‘The Golden Locket’ by Valentina Pohl Fabris
Ages 11-12 – ‘The Compass of Heather’ by Talia Millership
Ages 13-16 – ‘From Beyond Hope’ by Willow Brooke
Thor’s Choice Award – ‘Label Your Units’ by Meg Bales
“I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?”
– J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict
by Trenton Lee Stewart
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The Storylights
Firstly, we'll never sell or share any of your personal information with anyone else unless we're required to by law, and we only collect the minimum personal data that we need to run our services. For example, we need your name and email address so we can notify you if your competition entry has been selected for a prize, or to send you details about our next competition.
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The Storylights
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