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### UK creative writing competition for ages 7–11

#### The competition is now closed. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 3rd July 2024.

### Do you know a child who loves writing? We’re looking for the UK’s best storytellers!

[Atom Learning](http://atomlearning.com) is launching the third annual Young Author Award to celebrate the generation’s upcoming young writers. With the chance to win incredible prizes, including a **trip to Disneyland Paris and more**, it’s time to pick up a pen and get ready for a summer celebration of creativity!

#### The theme for 2024 is _What's that noise?_

Entrants must submit a creative response to this theme in **no more than 500 words**. 

All entrants must be aged between **7–11** on the day the competition closes (**17th June 2024**). Submissions must be written by the child and must not be supported by an adult. We’re looking for **aspiring writers**, not perfect wordsmiths!

#### Dates for your diary

- **Tuesday 6th May 2024:** Young Author Award 2024 competition opens
- **Monday 17th June 2024:** Young Author Award 2024 competition closes at 11.59 (BST)
- **Wednesday 3rd July 2024:** announcement of winner and runners-up


![First prize trip to Disneyland Paris](https://space-1.atomlearning.com/static/NEW_PRIZES_2_db2d8e1aed.png)

:::checkmarks
- 1 night trip to Disneyland Paris for a family of four
- Chromebook worth £250
- 6 month subscription to [Atom Home](https://atomlearning.com/)
:::

1st place

![4.png](https://space-1.atomlearning.com/static/4_df2fb0cc4c.png)

:::checkmarks
- £50 book voucher **or** one month subscription to [Atom Home](https://atomlearning.com/)
:::

10 runners-up

Competition prizes

center

Watch the moment Victoria – Winner of the Atom Learning Young Author Award 2023 – found out she'd won the first place prize. 

Click the link below to read the top three entries from last year's award. 

 Winner of the 2023 Young Author Award 

Highlights from the 2023 Young Author Award

You can get in touch with our competition team at [competition@atomlearning.co.uk](mailto:competition@atomlearning.co.uk). 


No – we want to hear from your child! The entry your child submits must be their own work.


Children can write on any topic they like as long as it’s inspired by the theme ‘What's that noise?'. The possibilities are endless! 


All submissions must be made through the form above or linked [here](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/11vONql1WRHCVD_Nk0MAWMQf1fn7). Children can either type their entry and submit it as a Word document or PDF, or handwrite their entry and submit it as a scanned document or photo. If submitting as a scan or photo, please make sure the writing is legible! 


We’re looking for high-quality writing, creative flair, and a compelling storyline. Entries will be judged by our team of teachers and curriculum specialists.


You can only enter the competition once. Full terms and conditions can be found below.


Yes! We want to hear from as many passionate young writers as possible.


Entries must be submitted by 11.59pm (BST) on **17th June 2024**.


No. Unfortunately the competition is only open to UK-only entries. 

1. There will be one winning entry for the Atom Learning Young Author Award and 10 prizes for judge-selected runners-up. All children must be aged between 7–11 at the point of close on 17th June 2024.
2. The winner of the 1st place entry will win a one-night trip to Disneyland Paris for a family of four. The trip must be taken before 17th June 2025, excluding the Christmas holiday period (2nd December 2024 – 3rd January 2025). Travel from the UK, accommodation and park entry expenses will be covered, and families will also receive full board for the duration of their stay which provides three meals a day per person. The 1st place winner will also receive a Chromebook worth £250 and a 6-month free subscription to the online learning platform Atom Home.
3. There will be the option of a £50 book voucher **or** a free one-month subscription for Atom Home for 10 runners up. 


1. The Atom Learning Young Author Award is open to all children aged 7 to 11 years old on the submission deadline of 11.59pm (BST) on 17th June 2024. Entrants must be residents of the United Kingdom. Proof of identity and eligibility may be requested.
2. Entries must be submitted via our [online entry form](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/11vONql1WRHCVD_Nk0MAWMQf1fn7) by the parent/guardian of the writer or by the writer with an adult’s permission (i.e. parent, guardian or teacher). Writers can only enter individually and not as part of a team.
3. The writer’s story must not exceed 500 words.
4. The story must be written by the child and be an original piece of fiction that has not been published elsewhere. Every submission must be the child’s own work, and they must not be aided by an adult or another child. Submission of the entry form confirms that the entry has been written by a child between 7 and 11 years of age and they have not been aided by anyone else. Any entries written with the assistance of an adult will be disqualified.
5. Every child can only make one entry to the award. If multiple entries are made, only the first received entry will be considered by judges.
6. All entries must be made in English.
7. All entrants must supply all details required and comply with all award rules to be eligible.


1. All entries are judged on the following:
    - Quality of writing and story structure
    - Creativity, ingenuity and imagination
    - Use of language and grammatical accuracy
    - The writer’s ability to engage the reader
2. The Atom Learning Young Author Award is judged as follows:
    - Stage 1: All entries are read and judged anonymously by at least two readers. Readers are from a mixture of backgrounds, with literary expertise, and selected from across Atom Learning and our networks. The best entries will be put forward to three judges.
    - Stage 2: Our three judges will meet to discuss the merits of each story, and agree on the winning entries.
3. Winning writers will be contacted by email or telephone, via their parent or guardian. We will contact the winner’s current school directly in order to deliver their prize.
4. Winners will be announced on 3rd July 2024. A selection of stories that were commended by the judges may be published on the Atom Learning website or associated social media. By entering The Atom Learning Young Author Award, the writer agrees to the publication of their work on Atom Learning channels.
5. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The judging will be fair and independent.
6. Ineligible, indecent or fraudulent entries will be disqualified. If the story has troubling content, in accordance with the [Atom Learning Safeguarding Policy](http://atomlearning.io/safeguarding), we may seek advice or insight from the NSPCC.

1. Entries sent in by post are ineligible. Entries via our [entry form](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/11vONql1WRHCVD_Nk0MAWMQf1fn7) will receive an automated acknowledgement.
2. An adult who submits or approves an entry for a writer shall be deemed by the act of ticking the checkbox and providing their contact details on the entry form to have obtained the writer’s permission and approval of all terms and conditions contained in these Terms and Conditions. If such an adult has failed to do so, Atom Learning may disqualify the entry and/or reclaim any prize.
3. Atom Learning can refuse entry to the Award for any reason it decides is reasonable. Atom Learning reserves the right to cancel this Award at any stage if circumstances arise outside of its control or for any other reason Atom Learning deems reasonable.
4. The writer and their parent/guardian understand and agree that Atom Learning is not responsible for any loss or damage in relation to this award, to the fullest extent under the law.
5. These rules and the entry submitted shall form a contract which is governed by the laws of England and the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

1. Writers keep the copyright to their stories but grant a perpetual non-exclusive royalty-free licence to Atom Learning for all uses in all media.
2. Winning stories may be published on the websites of Atom Learning, our partners, national media or other content providers to celebrate your success and promote the award.

Atom Learning Young Author Award 2024

Atom Learning

Young Author Award 2024

UK creative writing competition for ages 7–11

The competition is now closed. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 3rd July 2024.

Do you know a child who loves writing? We’re looking for the UK’s best storytellers!

The theme for 2024 is What's that noise?

Dates for your diary

Competition prizes

1st place

10 runners-up

Winner of the 2023 Young Author Award

Highlights from the 2023 Young Author Award

FAQs

Terms & conditions

Begin your journey with Atom