2025 BBC Young Writers' Award opens
Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Category: Get Creative

You can now enter the 2025 BBC Young Writers' Award with Cambridge University, which is open to writers between the ages of 14-18 years. Entries close at 9am on Monday 24th March 2025.
To enter, write a story of up to 1,000 words - no theme or subject is provided: as long as it's a story and it's all your own work, you can submit it.
Thousands of young people have entered the competition over the past decade, with winning authors going on to study across the UK, win other writing competitions, and even achieve professional book deals for their writing.
You've got until 24th March to send in your entry. Find out more about how to enter at the BBC Young Writers' Award website, including T&Cs and how to enter. You'll also find last year's shortlisted stories, as well as a resources page full of helpful tips and hints for getting started on your own short story.
This year's judges: BBC R1 presenter Lauren Layfield has been announced as the chair of the judges. Lauren hosts Life Hacks each Sunday. Joining Lauren are former Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho, author Jessica Moor, author and previous winner Lottie Mills, and award-winning poet Matt Goodfellow.
Lauren said, "Writing is a part of our everyday lives but so few people consider putting pen to paper and following a career in it. Having written my own book and being a regular columnist, I recognise the value that this art form brings to honest and reliable communication, that it can be a place to express your thoughts, opinions and creativity. I am delighted to chair the next Young Writers' Award and to encourage the new generation to get scribing!"
Now in its eleventh year, the BBC Young Writers' Award with Cambridge University challenges young people in the UK aged between 14-18 years to submit stories of up to 1,000 words. Submissions for the 2024 award are open until 9am (GMT) Monday 24th March 2025.