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.

Yes if my 2 haven't been received I'd be really grateful to know. It said they had been submitted, so hopefully OK! Thanks!

Having the same problems as everyone else, now worrying that my name and title and word count and email address are written in too many places - you know when you overcompensateovercompensate because you're worried you'll forget? That.

Okay. Have checked with much believed husband who said 'was that supposed to be the filename? I think I called it 'documentlucas'."
Thank you so much sweetheart. When I wrote down that jumble of letters on the piece of paper and put it next to you and drew a big circle around it and said 'make sure you call it THAT', what I really meant to say was 'call it whatever you like, it isn't as if it matters or anything'.
It may be called LucasJamesAidenWentLookingForABlackberryAndFoundAFriend
It may be called documentlucas
It's anybodies guessguess. Place your bets, folks, chose a title.
Lucas

And why do I keep repeating words for no apparent reason? About 70% sure that's the tech, not me. And the remaining 30% sure it was Mr Manley, so still not me.

Eek! Just submitted! Good luck everyone!

Just submitted a little story! I think it's probably too little, but at least I tried!

hi I submitted last night and have also missed out putting my name on the actual document itself, I just added the story title :/...my name and story title are included in the file name though, hope this is ok?

oh no! ive just rechecked the file i sent and also didnt include the story title on the actual document, just the story itself..cant believe ive done that!

@topiarygal

Very exciting! had seal of approval from children BUT have just realised you need to add your name to the document title - I haven't and can't resubmit - will it be OK?

Yes that's fine. We can match up with the spreadsheet of submissions. We'll email if there's any confusion.

@ApplesinmyPocket

Nor me, littlemao!

Thank you very much, Rachel. I realised you all probably weren't back chained to at your desks yet.

Anyone else reading 'we had an amazing response' and thinking 'Oh No! more than 20 then, bugger, I won't even make the shortlist'

I'm thinking though, all of us did something amazing - it's not easy to start, carry on, AND FINISH a story, well done all of us, we're all writers now even if not winners. all round!

Absolutely - What a great start to the new year to write and finish a short story? Def and all round (where's the bottle of champers emoticon when you need one?). We're just tackling some of the {ahem} more complicated issues and then we'll post up on this thread once we've sent the confirmation email so you know that we've received your story(ies).

@JNeaves

Hi there,

I just entered the story competition today but I made an error. I was rushing because I knew that the competition was ending today and I didn't know what time! I submitted everything correctly but the file name doesn't include the name of the story and my name! I saw in the thread that you advised someone else to let you know so you could check into it.

The story is called "Spiral Finds His Spin" but the file name was FlopLlamaLips.

My name, address and word count are included within the file. The only thing that is incorrect is the name of the file.

I would hate for my story to get lost because I made such a silly error.

This is fine - we've found your story and made a note of the title.

@polarbear4321

hi I submitted last night and have also missed out putting my name on the actual document itself, I just added the story title :/...my name and story title are included in the file name though, hope this is ok?

Yes this is fine.

@polarbear4321

oh no! ive just rechecked the file i sent and also didnt include the story title on the actual document, just the story itself..cant believe ive done that!

Don't panic! We've found it with the story title uploaded.

I entered my story on Sunday and I feel really proud of myself! It may sound a little silly, but this year I am planning to finish my novel that I started in Nanowrimo, and so this competition was my very first completed story that i have ever written! Such a huge feeling of accomplishment.
Well done everyone and good luck!
Off to check my emails for a confirmation (again).

phew! thats great rachel,thanks:)

The confirmation emails have just been sent out. If you haven't received one today or on 2nd Jan (when we sent out the first confirmation email) then please send me a pm and we'll look into it (DON'T PANIC!)

All stories have now been submitted and the comp is officially closed. Good luck to you all and we'll post up the shortlist on this thread on 16th January.

Thanks RachelMumsnet for all your help - and best of luck to all who entered!

Hi
I submitted my entry to the competition last night and haven't received a confirmation email will a final confirmation email be issued shortly. I want to make sure you received it.
Jen

Ignore my last message. Confirmation has been received. Yay! Good luck everyone.

Thanks for the confirmations, mumsnet Hq. Good luck everyone :)

Good luck everyone, first story I have ever written since I was in school (a Loooooooong time ago) and it was a pleasure even if I don't get shortlisted (but I REALLY want to get shortlisted )

I have just checked my email and found the confirmation that my story has been received. I am so excited, can't wait to see if my story will be on the shortlist. If I am one of the ten winners it will give me such a boost as I am planning to write a complete novel this year.

Hi there,
i entered on Sunday night but still haven't received any confirmation email. I've emailed Rachel @mumsnet but not sure if I got correct email. Hopefully someone can help! :) story was called " the babysitter"

Scrap that, found in my junk mail! Didn't show up in my search for some reason. Sorry!

ooh! Only 3 days to go - good luck everyone!