Literacy news
Radio 2 launches short story competition for children
30 Jan 2012
Chris Evans has launched the second 500 WORDS short story competition, open to anyone in the UK aged 13 and under.
The story has to be 500 words or fewer, and has to be an original fictional work by the entrant. There are two age categories: 9 and under and 10 – 13.
The writers of the 50 best stories will be invited to join Radio 2 during the broadcast for the Chris Evans Breakfast Show live from the Hay Festival on Friday 1 June.
The closing date for the competition is Thursday 1 March, World Book Day.
There will be a Bronze, Silver and Gold winner in each of the two age categories, and some great prizes:
- Bronze winner – win their own height in books;
- Silver Winner – win Alex Jones’ from the One Show’s height in books;
- Gold Winner – Chris Evans’ height in books plus 500 books for their school library.
The winning stories will also be read out live on air at the Hay Festival by six celebrities.
The five judges, responsible for choosing the winning stories are:
- David Walliams
- Dame Jacqueline Wilson
- Lauren Child
- Charlie Higson
- Andy Stanton
See their top tips for writing a winning entry on the 500 WORDS website http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/500words/2012
Chris Evans said: “We were overwhelmed last year to be inundated with thousands of truly creative and fantastic entries from nearly 30,000 kids, and in 2012 we need your help to make the competition even bigger than before.”
500 WORDS is looking for teachers and librarians to join in and help judge the entries in the initial stage of the competition. 25 teachers and librarian volunteers will be invited to the live broadcast in Hay-on-Wye on 1 June to say thank you for all their hard work.
The National Literacy Trust is shortlisting the 500 WORDS entries for a second year.
