UK-wide children’s creative writing competition 500 Words launches

The UK’s most successful writing competition for children, 500 Words, has launched and is open for entries until Friday 10 November.

Primary school-aged children from across the UK can submit their own original short story to the competition, which encourages children of all abilities to dive deep into their imagination and write the story they would love to read in 500 words or less, without fear of spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. 

50 finalists, along with their parents or carers, will be invited to attend the grand final in February 2024 at Buckingham Palace. The event will be shown as part of a special 500 Words programme with The One Show on World Book Day®, Thursday 7 March 2024. 

At the event, the bronze, silver and gold winners of both age groups, 5-7 and 8-11, will receive a selection of exciting prizes, including having their stories read by famous faces and a bundle of books to help continue their love of the written word. 

The two gold winners will receive not only the height of judge, Sir Lenny Henry, in books, but 500 books for their schools.

Silver winners will get their hands on the height of His Majesty in books, and bronze winners will receive the average height of a seven- or eleven-year-old in books. 

All of their stories will be illustrated by children’s illustrators – Joelle Avelino, Axel Scheffler, Fiona Lumbers, Sue Cheung, Jamie Smart, and Steven Lenton – framed, and put into a 500 Words winners' book. 

Every finalist will receive a £20 National Book Token and their stories will be recorded and published to the BBC Teach website. 

Every story will be entered into a random draw, where one lucky winner will receive a ticket to the grand final, and their school will receive a bundle of 500 books and literacy wall art of their choice. 

Helen Foulkes, Head of BBC Education, said: “We are delighted to be running this year’s 500 Words competition. It goes to the heart of everything we do in BBC Education.

“Ever since it began, the short story writing competition has always been for every child, no matter what their ability. It is all about creativity with no need to worry about spelling, punctuation or grammar.

“This year we want children to write the story they would love to read. We can’t wait to read all the incredible entries we know we will receive and support children across the UK with their creative writing.”

Alex de Berry, MD, National Book Tokens said: “Story writing is one way that everyone can tap into their creativity, an opportunity for your unique voice to run wild. 500 Words is a fantastic celebration that encourages all children to get involved and to have fun with writing.

“We are proud to be involved and to help the 500 Words team spread the word via hundreds of UK bookshops to communities everywhere.”

Since the competition first launched in 2011, it has received over one million entries, and this year it wants to continue to encourage children of all abilities from across the UK to unleash their creativity and get involved.

All stories need to be typed and submitted by an adult by 8pm on Friday 10 November. 

If you have a child or have a class who wants to enter, head to bbc.co.uk/500words where you can find everything you need to know about the competition as well as full terms and conditions and privacy notices.