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.

Sounds great, I will submit mine. Thanks for waking up the writer in me

Cogito, they cover the copyright issue later:

"19. Unless you are on the announced shortlist, rights in your submission granted to Mumsnet (including Gransnet) under point 8 of these terms and conditions shall revert to you automatically on 4th March 2014.

20. If you are on the shortlist but not one of the final winning entries, rights in your submission granted to Mumsnet (including Gransnet) under point 8 of these terms and conditions shall revert to you at Mumsnet’s and Gransnet’s discretion following written notice from Mumsnet or Gransnet."

Hi,
could you elaborate more on the rhyme v poetry thing? I have written a book, each page is four lines and the end of line 2 and line 4 rhyme so its like a little poem on each page, a rhyme on each paragraph. Is that too much like poetry? It still tells a story from beginning middle to end.

Also was there a reply to including pictures as mine already has pictures :)

Michelle

Have been an eedjit - too early in morning and may not have sent pdf version (sent from Mac) and def didn't label file with my name just story title - it won't let me re-submit- any way of correcting this?

Hi there,
I have entered -is there any confirmation of receipt?

Thanks

Please confirm or reply if there is confirmation of email once submitted, or if there will be an email at any point. Thank you!

Why does item 20 allow Mumsnet to keep rights for unpublished but shortlisted stories? The conditions under Item 19 seem more reasonable to apply to all non-winning entries…

Item 6 still states only 1 entry per person…

Hi Mumsnet - can I just confirm, if you are not selected as a winner or shortlisted, no rights to the 'book' belong to Mumsnet, if you are short-listed, rights will return to the author at Mumsent's discretion and if you are a winner, full rights remain with Mumsnet? Thanks

I'm still confused about the rhyming/ poetry/ prose thing. Please elaborate if anyone knows the guidelines... Thanks.

What age group is it for?

4

4-7, nerfmother

Has anyone entered more than once? I know Rachel said above that we could but the Ts and Cs don't seem to have changed.

We're sorry for delay in addressing some of these issues. Firstly there wasn't an automatic response to confirm we've received your entires. As quite a few people are asking we are going to email everyone who has submitted a story later today to confirm we've received your entries. If you haven't received an email then please do email us so we can look into it.

Apologies for the confusion about the number of entries - it's fine to submit more than one (we've changed this on the Ts and Cs now).

@Jude76

I'm still confused about the rhyming/ poetry/ prose thing. Please elaborate if anyone knows the guidelines... Thanks.

We asked Walker Books to elaborate on this and they said: 'We are happy with an entry that rhymes, as long as it fits into a book of continuous prose. We just want everyone to remember that this isn’t a picture book. Good luck with your entry'.

4 to 7? Ok, so more horrid Henry than the tiger who came to tea

@CogitoErgoMum

Hello Great idea for a comp Clause 8 and 9 on the terms and conditions - even if the story doesn't win, do you still own it once we enter it? i.e. you own copywrite and get all royalties if it is published? Have I read this right?

Many thanks

If you are not on the shortlist or a winning entry, as set in in point 19 of the T&Cs, rights in your submission granted to Mumsnet (including Gransnet) under point 8 of these terms and conditions shall revert to you automatically on 4th March 2014

@Mermibridg

Hi, could you elaborate more on the rhyme v poetry thing? I have written a book, each page is four lines and the end of line 2 and line 4 rhyme so its like a little poem on each page, a rhyme on each paragraph. Is that too much like poetry? It still tells a story from beginning middle to end.

Also was there a reply to including pictures as mine already has pictures :)

Michelle

The winning stories will be illustrated by illustrators chosen by Walker Books - so no illustrations by authors. With regard to the poetry - it's fine if it rhymes but it must be a story rather than a poem, so sounds like your entry will be fine.

@Mermibridg

Hi, could you elaborate more on the rhyme v poetry thing? I have written a book, each page is four lines and the end of line 2 and line 4 rhyme so its like a little poem on each page, a rhyme on each paragraph. Is that too much like poetry? It still tells a story from beginning middle to end.

Also was there a reply to including pictures as mine already has pictures :)

Michelle

The winning stories will be illustrated by illustrators chosen by Walker Books - so no illustrations by authors. With regard to the poetry - it's fine if it rhymes but it must be a story rather than a poem, so sounds like your entry will be fine.

@Madmumof7

Have been an eedjit - too early in morning and may not have sent pdf version (sent from Mac) and def didn't label file with my name just story title - it won't let me re-submit- any way of correcting this?

Could you send a personal message (to me - rachelmumsnet) with the name of the story and we'll look into this for you?
Thanks

oops, not sure what happened there - double entry. A bit rusty after the Christmas break

My dad used to tell us stories about a Siamese cat, called Mr Wong. If it is OK with my mum and sister, could I submit one of them under his name, Rachel?

Mine is nearly ready to go but every time I come back to it for a final read, I find one more repeated word or typo Maybe tomorrow.