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.

Hello,

Saw that you'd changed the terms and conditions re: multiple entries but, when I just tried to upload another one, it wouldn't let me? Think maybe you need to change the submit button to allow for multiple entries - as well as the terms and conditions themselves?

Hope that makes sense! (It's getting late . . .)

Thanks!

Hi, I only discovered this competition a couple of days ago but am keen to enter! What time is the deadline on Monday? Also, how likely is it that winners will get back the copyright for their stories? Thanks.

Do you think it is fair that unpublished work is only released at Mumsnet's discretion?

stayathomegardener it isn't for competitors to argue the terms and conditions - they are what they are. We either accept them and enter, or don't.

Is it right that Mumsnet keeps the rights to winning text and doesn't pay the winners?

Who's keeping the take from the book sales? MN and Walker?

How many copies do Walker think they'll sell in the first run?

Are the authors to be acknowledged? If so, how and where. Thanks.

Shame on me, the authors get 500 quid each. Not bad for 1500 words. As you were...

"The 10 winning authors will each receive a £500 prize and the winning stories will be illustrated and included in The Book of Animal Stories published by Walker Books in October 2014"

Corygal, the winners are being paid £500. For that £500, they lose the rights to royalties, but remember that Walker books are paying the costs of getting the stories to publication standard, illustrated, published, promoted and stocked.

This is a competition, not a commission

Cross-posted with you, Corygal

Yikes! Just submitted a story!

Is there a time deadline that the story must be submitted? Is it midnight on Sunday?

Has everyone received an email to acknowledge their entry?

Hi,

I've tried to submit a 2nd story by it won't le me. Can this be fixed? Time is of the essence as deadline is Monday.
Terms and conditions 6. clearly state that we can submit more than one entry.

Thanks for getting back to me.

Just read my story to DD who is 6. She liked it but didn't like one of the names I used so I will change that. It was her only criticism so hopefully that bodes well .

Just submitted it, cross fingers!

Lougle I am questioning the fairness of one of the rules not arguing [hmn]

Earlier on this thread the option to submit more than one entry was questioned and the rules were subsequently amended by Mumsnet....

I think I preferred the one entry only rule ...

Well I've written my first ever story. I doubt it's much competition, tbh

Oh well done. I've written the beginning but I'm rubbish at keeping interested !

I have to just do it, or it wouldn't get done. Terrible. I was the same with essays - had to just do it, because if I took my time I procrastinated terribly.

Ok. Might try to finish it tomorrow. Will be the shortest short story in the world! I'd love to ask people what they are doing along the theme of animals, will have to wait and see

Submitted mine now. Hope to get an email saying it got there OK...

Oh and... Good Luck everyone!

QQ please - is the word limit the maximum number of words, so less is ok? Or do you recommend that stories are around 1500 words?

thank you :)

I can answer that, Cat98:

"Please ensure your entry is no longer than 1,500 words. Remember we much prefer quality over quantity, so don't worry if your entry is less than the word count." From the 'how to enter' blurb.

Thanks - yes I just saw that after I'd posted!

I've entered - will I now get a confirmation email??