News Writing Competition for Children and YA

[Ancora Imparo]

Searchlight Writing Competitions are open till 1st September 2024 for Best Children's Picture book; and Best Novel Opening for Children or YA.

Many writers who made the shortlist have had full m/s requests, so it's a great way to get your work in front of the right people.

 

[RK Wallis]

I'm confused when they say pitch no more than 175 words. Do they want like a query-blurb? because mine is 181 words and could be trimmed, but my pitch is 8 words? That isn't a typo. Any pointers @Ancora Imparo?

 

[Ancora Imparo]

I think you can make it as short as you want, Rachel. The word count is probably to stop those writers who like to ramble on...and on But I'll double check and get back to you (and I'll suggest they make it a touch clearer, too).

 

[RK Wallis]

those writers who like to ramble on...and on

That's one way to weed out the red flags, lol! They might want to keep it that way

 

[Ancora Imparo]

Hi, Rachel, I double checked, and they say my answer is correct – make it as short a pitch as you like. The cut-off point of 175 words is to stop those people who like sending long tracts of explanatory text with no regard for its size. Hope that helps.

 

[mickleinapickle]

Sorry to ask a daft question, but is it a competition for pieces BY children and YA or FOR children and YA. I'm a bit fick, but I do mean well.

 

[Ancora Imparo]

Not daft at all, @mickleinapickle - it's for writers of any age who write FOR children and YA. Hope that helps

 

[mickleinapickle]

Not daft at all, @mickleinapickle - it's for writers of any age who write FOR children and YA. Hope that helps

Thank you.