Radio 2’s 500 words competition is back!
by Educate Magazine February 3, 2015 · All News
The popular writing competition, now in its fifth year has returned and is looking for an original piece of fiction, no longer than 500 words to take the 2015 crown.
Authors Francesca Simon, Malorie Blackman, Charlie Higson and Frank Cottrell Boyce make up this year’s judging panel, alongside head judge Richard Hammond.
A team of teachers and librarians will mark the entries before the Reading Agency draws up a shortlist of 50 finalists. The top 50 writers will then be invited to The Chris Evans Breakfast Show that will be broadcast live from St James’s Palace. Then, six winners chosen by the panel of judges will have their stories read out by a famous narrator.
The winner of the best story will receive a “gold prize” of Chris Evans’ height in books plus 500 books for their school. The silver prize winner will get co-presenter Alex Jones’ height in books and the bronze winner will get their own height in books.
Children aged 5-13 can enter the competition and must submit a piece of fiction via the BBC website by 26th February.
Merseyside author and judge Frank Cottrell Boyce has been sharing his top tips for aspiring writers through his twitter account (@frankcottrell_b).
Take a look at his great tips below to help you with your submission.
