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.

Did we all manage to get our stories in, and actually write them? Well done us!

Good luck everyone! :) eek tomoz:)

Aaah, where are the lucky 20? Where can we see them? Thanks

Exciting! Well done everyone who entered. It's not easy finding the time to write a short story in between looking after our little people and all our other jobs!!

Pleased I'm not the only one desperate to see the shortlist! Come on mumsnet, we're all too excited to wait!

Checking again.....I did't check just after midnight-Oh no

Determined to celebrate tonight whatever the outcome.

haha, me neither stayathomegardener ;)

Also checking in! :)

When will we find out who's on the shortlist? I am feeling nervous and excited at the same time!

I absolutely don't think I will be, but is love to see the stories that make it, just to see what sort of thing people like

I have to go out in half hour, good luck everyone.
Refresh... Refresh...

Hi all,
Just checking in too! Good luck everyone.

I am wondering if those shortlisted would have been informed already via email as in the email that I received to say they had recieved my story etc it said that if you are shortlisted you will be contacted directly so does that mean that we would have already heard if shortlisted?
So excited!

Yes I think short listed people will already know and the short list won't be the way they find out.

I hope you are wrong nerf

me too..

Me three!

Good luck everyone! :

Anyone heard anything yet? Saw on Twitter they had over 600 entries!

600!!!!!

It's not going to be restricted to mumsnetters, lots of people who write enter all competitions regularly so will have registered to enter. 600 is quite a lot of competition.

I guess those who were lucky have now been informed. Mid day and no news!

I don't even know where to look - are you looking at main homepage or mumsnet.com/competitions/animal-stories? Find it strange that no-one has responded who's been shortlisted so hoping no news is still possible good news!

PS the email didn't say anything about being contacted if shortlisted:

"This email is to confirm that we have received your entry in the Animal Stories competition we are running with Walker Books. The comp closes on 6th January and the shortlist of 20 stories will be announced on Mumsnet on 16th January, with the winning ten announced on 10th February."

About to EXPLODE from anticipation (have got chocolate ready)....

OOOOh the suspense!!!