Write an animal story for the Mumsnet and Walker Books writing competition

[RachelMumsnet]

Do you secretly have a book inside you? Would you like to see it published?

Do you love making up stories for children? Why not enter this year's Mumsnet, Gransnet and Walker Books writing competition and see your story published in a beautifully illustrated gift book?

Last year we ran an incredibly successful writing competition to find 10 inspiring and original bedtime stories. Hundreds of people entered and the 10 winning stories were chosen by former Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen, and published in The Book of Bedtime Stories. The book was recently listed first in The Independent's top children's books for 2013, described as "beautifully produced ... could be a collector's item".

Mumsnet, Gransnet and Walker Books are now very excited to be launching the competition for its second year. This year, the theme will be animal stories. We want you to submit your stories before Monday 6 January. This year we have a judging panel - full details yet to be revealed but this will include previous Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne.

Find out how to enter this fabulous competition. For inspiration and to read winning stories, get your hands on a copy of The Mumsnet Book of Bedtime Stories.

Ha ha! If anyone volunteers to write a piece entitled "Desperate Mumsnet" all they have to do is cop ythe above and paste!

Lol. I was kidding of course. I actually don't think I will make the shortlist, my writing is a bit off the wall I guess. My sense of humour probably isn't right for this sort of thing. I'm guessing they are after nice lovely stories rather than something with jokes for the parents. Not a worry...only I can't send it to anyone else til I know for sure and I am dead pleased with it as a story!

Haha superconfident me. I'm the next Julia Donaldson and jk Rowling mixed into one. Only younger, prettier, thinner and better at squash.

Lolss@sense of humour. U made me laff!
Same as you im waiting to find out so I can send it elsewhere

I am supposed to be low carbing and I have a box of quality street in the cupboard!

There's only one thing for it. To tear myself away from the computer I have decided to tidy up the entire house. So see you all in a month or so.

I've never actually played squash, that was just a guess.

I think they're all busy with the Hairy Bikers at the moment at Mumsnet!

Ooh just found this thread, I entered then kind of forgot about it but now I'm all wound up, feel like I'm waiting for my exam results again!

Well c'mon Mumsnet - where's the results. I don't think that my bladder can hold on much longer...

Still no news!
It's nearly school run time.

Over 600 entries!!! Oh .... hope fading FAST!! Mine was sweet, not so action-packed like others - just a mini adventure. Hope fading FAST!

Over 600 entries!!! Oh .... hope fading FAST!! Mine was sweet, not so action-packed like others - just a mini adventure. Hope fading FAST!

doubly FAST! submitted twice in error!

Superstition has taken over : if I eat another piece of chocolate I definitely WON'T get chosen. Have sellotaped the cupboard shut.

So sorry to leave you on tenterhooks, we will be announcing the shortlist in the next 30 minutes. There were 635 entries between mumsnet and gransnet which was an amazing response. Good luck to you all and we'll be back very shortly...

Do the short listed people already know Rachel?

No, we're going to email the shortlisted entrants at the same time as posting on the boards. We will be with you very shortly.

Thank you

Thanks MNHQ

Tummy just turned upside down.

Bladder just burst.

Oh well 30 mins have elapsed and no news so I'm guessing I'm out. Well done to everyone who was shortlisted - enjoy celebrating!

Finally....

The shortlist (in no particular order)

1. The Tale of the Winged Lion, Eilidh Mackay
2. The Great Meerkat Escape, Nina Hoole
3. Otto’s Colours, Lois A. Johnson
4. The Monster in the Laundry, Zoe Barnes
5. The Dragon’s Wish, Sally Hodges
6. Wagger the Wonderful, Jean Farrell
7. Tortoise’s Late Breakfast, Rachel Rowlands
8. The Elephant Carnival, Kate Robinson
9. Juliet and the Snow Swan, Tuey Mac

10. Little Miss Wolfy Good, Jenny Davis 11. Atuki and Serai, Jo Tiddy 12. B is for Bone, Georgina Sewell 13. Colin and the Cat and the Farm of a Thousand Rats, Jeremy Sallis 14. Basil the Brave, Alice Westlake 15. Captain Yuri and the Space Mission, Susannah O’Brien 16. The Hedgehog Who Wouldn’t Sleep, Alison Webb 17. A Pile of Panda, Julie Innes 18. Bigfoot and Littletoes, David Smith 19. Misty and Mina, Monisha Bhaumik 20. Up In the Trees is Not For Me!, Lindsay Littleson

We were thrilled to receive so many entries with such a variety of animals and settings. The standard was extremely high, which meant choosing the shortlist wasn't an easy task.

Here's more about the shortlist

Meh