If you love writing, why not enter this year’s Henrietta Branford Writing Competition.

This year’s theme for the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition is inspired by the book that won the Branford Boase Award in 2024, Steady For This by Nathanael Lessore. Nathanael’s book is bright, funny, joyful, and fresh, making readers laugh out loud.

What the judges of the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition are looking for this year are pieces of writing that will put smiles on their faces and, even better, make them chuckle or laugh out loud!

You may choose whatever you want to write from the following:
• Ideas from your imagination or something that really happened.
• A short story or a description (no more than 600 words).
• A poem; or song lyric (no more than 40 lines).
• Rap lyrics, in honour of the star of Steady For This, Shaun, aka MC Growls

You can write less than 600 words or 40 lines but not more.

The judges are looking for writing that will amuse them and hold their attention, so ask yourself, how can I grab a judge’s attention? How will I make them smile or laugh?

Anyone under the age of 19 can enter.

The entry deadline is 9am (GMT), Friday 30th May 2025.

For more information, visit the competition website.