Courses and Competitions: BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words Competition

Are you a budding writer or do you know one who is between 5-13 years? Well, BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words writing competition is back for 2016.

It’s an opportunity for young children to write, submit their story and win an amazing prize.

According to the 500 Words website, the story needs to be an original piece of fiction. It can be on any subject or theme. It just needs to be five hundred words or fewer.

The winning story could be read live on the radio by a superstar celebrity such as Hugh Bonneville, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch or Jeremy Irons (Scar from The Lion King) and it could be heard by the millions of Radio 2 listeners.

The judges include Malorie Blackman, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Charlie Higson and Francesca Simon. Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall will also be returning for 2016 as an honorary judge.

The competition is open now for entries and closes at 7pm on Thursday 25th February 2016. 

The stories will be judged in two age categories; 5-9 years and 10-13 years. All they ask is that the people entering are between these ages at the time of the final which is 27th May 2016 and are full UK residents.

The final will be held at Shakespeare’s Globe on 27th May 2016. First prize is not only five hundred books for your school library, it’s also Chris Evans’ height in books. He is 1.88 meters tall so that is a lot of books.

Second prize is Alex Jones’ height in books and the winner of third prize will win their own height in books.

For full details on the competition as well as terms and conditions and the online submission form, visit the 500 words website at www.bbc.co.uk.

Good luck everyone.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.