Emerging writers' competition (8-13 years)

Next date: Tuesday, 01 September 2026 | 09:00 AM to Friday, 09 October 2026 | 09:00 PM

Our creative writing competition for young people is back! We invite young writers to share their creativity across a range of age categories. Prizes will be awarded to the top two entries in each age group, so start writing, you could be one of our winning storytellers.

Entries will be judged by library staff and a special guest children’s book creator.

To enter the competition, you must:

• Live or go to school in the Willoughby LGA and be a member of Willoughby City Library.
• Submit an original short story or poem of no more than 500 words (use of AI is not permitted).
• Use the theme words ‘The letter’. 

Entries are judged according to creativity, originality, expression, structure and use of language.

Submissions are open throughout the Emerge Festival, from 1 September to 9 October.

Submit your story 

Visitor information

Children under the age of 11 should be supervised by someone over 18 at all times in the Library.

We follow NSW Health guidelines for the health and safety of our community and staff. Please read our Behaviour in the Library guidelines and Unaccompanied children guidelines before your visit.

This event may be filmed or photographed. Images may be used on Council websites, publications, social media channels and circulated to the press and other media organisations for publication, transmission or broadcast. If you do not wish your image to be published, please notify staff before the event.

 

When

Location

Chatswood Library, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, 2067, View Map