Ridiculous Writers Creative Writing Contest

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You're here because you know engaging your students with writing isn't about getting it right, it's about having FUN!

Which is exactly where Ridiculous Writers comes in!

Use the Activity Cards to help your students create a fun character. They can then use the graphic organizer to plan and write a 100-word story.

Get everything you need from the Downloads tab⬆️

We're not looking for perfection, we're looking for creativity - we want to see your students' unique ideas and imaginations on display, because there's nothing like the inventiveness and originality of children.

Benefits of Taking Part

🧙 Free to enter
👻 Chance for your students to be published
🍪 100-word limit takes away the fear of long-form writing
🦄 Example stories from past winners to help inspire your students
🏈 Free book for your school
🍦 Ready-made lesson plan and PowerPoint (also available in Google Slides) to engage your students
🏆Prizes to be won!

Ridiculous Writers is sure to create a buzz in your classroom, which will translate into their writing, resulting in awesome stories! So get started today - fill in the form on the Downloads tab to access all the FREE resources instantly.

(This contest is ideal for 6-13 year-olds, but students outside that age range are welcome to enter.)

[Rules] =>

Only one entry per student, there is no limit to the number of entries per school.
Teachers please submit your entries altogether where possible! Include one Teacher Entry Form per teacher.
Mini sagas can be on the entry form or a sheet of paper or typed.
Mini sagas must be your students' own work.
Students can work together - please enter both names on one entry form.
Mini sagas must be told in no more than 100 words (the title isn't included in this) but can be fewer.
Ensure that all students include their name and age on their entries. (Entries can be submitted with first names only or initials if needed.)
US entrants only.
Free to enter.
Copyright remains with the author.

[School Prizes] =>

Young Writers’ 🏆Award of Excellence🏆 is awarded to the school that submits the best set of entries for this contest.

PLUS every participating school receives a free copy of the book their students feature in.

(The more entries you send, the more free books you’ll receive: E.g. Send 1-30 entries & you'll receive 1 free copy, send 31-60 entries you'll receive 2 free copies, etc.)

[Student Prizes] =>

Our favorite writer will win a fantastic creative writing goody bag and a RIDICULOUS trophy!

PLUS every entrant receives a bookmark for taking part. Certificates will be awarded to all students whose work we'd love to publish.

(The school & student winners will be chosen from published entries received April-June 2026 and prizes awarded the following semester. Goody bag image is an example, contents may differ.)

[Tips] =>
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[Winner Word] => Student [Schools/Clubs] => Schools [Thumbnail] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1775033684-9748-RW_Page-Icon.jpg [Background] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1775033684-787-RW_Background.jpg [Logo] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1775033684-9253-RW_Logo-NEW.png [Independent Intro] =>

Introduce your child to the weird and wonderful world of Ridiculous Writers, the latest contest from Young Writers designed to delight and engage!

They will love the fun of creating wacky characters using the activity sheet or coming up with their own crazy ideas. It's sure to create excitement which will translate into their writing, resulting in an imaginative, creative story!

Benefits of Taking Part

😀 Free to enter
🧙 Chance for your child to be published
👻 100-word limit takes away the fear of long-form writing
🍪 Example stories from past winners to help inspire your child
🦄 Bookmark for all entrants
🏈 Certificate of Merit for every child chosen for publication
🍦 This contest is ideal for 6-13 year-olds, but children outside that age range are welcome to enter.

Download the graphic organizer which will help your child to plan and write their story, and turn them into an engaged, confident writer today!

How To Enter

Email your child's entry along with their, name and full address to: [email protected]

Upload their entry here.

Mail your child's entry along with their name and full address to:

Young Writers - Ridiculous Writers
77 Walnut Street
Unit 11
Peabody MA 01960

Entries need to be received by June 19, 2026.

[Independent Rules] =>

Only one entry per person.
Please include your child's name, age and full address on their entry.
The mini saga must be told in no more than 100 words (the title isn't included in this).
Independent entries are eligible for the student prize.
The mini saga can be on the entry form or a sheet of paper or typed.
Your child's entry must be their own work.
US entrants only.
Free to enter.
Copyright remains with the author.

[Independent Prizes] =>

Our favorite writer will win a fantastic creative writing goody bag and a ridiculous trophy!

PLUS every entrant receives a bookmark for taking part. Certificates will be awarded to all entrants whose work we'd love to publish.

(The school & student winners will be chosen from the entries received April-June 2026 and prizes awarded the following semester. Independent entrants are eligible to win. The goody bag image is an example, contents may differ.)

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This contest is now closed.

If you have late entries, please email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to accommodate them.

Open contests can be found here.

What happens now?

Our editorial team will read every single entry. Any child whose work they'd love to publish in a book will be sent a letter and certificate. Children whose work hasn't met the contest criteria will have the chance to resubmit their work. Winners will be chosen from published pieces once all the books in the series have been published.

Contest Timeline

Stage	Date	Status
Letters Sent	By 23^rd September 2026	⏳ In Progress
Books Published	16^th November 2026 - 30^th November 2026	⏳ Coming Soon
Winners Announced	14^th December 2026	⏳ Coming Soon

Please note we aim to keep these dates as accurate as possible but can be subject to change.

For more detailed information about your school's entries, please log in (or create) your teacher account here using the email you included on your teacher entry form.