The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition is a writing competition for young people aged 8-18 that runs alongside the Branford Boase Award. The competition aims to find and encourage writers of the future, which is something that author Henrietta Branford cared deeply about.

The theme for the annual competition is set by the latest winner of the Branford Boase Award. Details for the 2027 competition to be announced.

Competition entries can be:

• A short story or description (no more than 600 words).
• A poem or song lyric (no more than 40 lines).
• Inspired by your imagination or based on something that really happened.

Six winners are chosen each year. They receive signed copies of all the books shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and their winning entries are published on the Branford Boase Award website.

Full entry instructions, terms and conditions are available here.

Timetable:

• The 2027 competition will open in February.
• Entries must be submitted by end May.
• The winners are announced in July.

Cost: Free.

About the Branford Boase Award: The Branford Boase Award was set up in 1999 in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase.