What Is 500 Words? 500 Words is the biggest story-writing contest in the UK for kids. It asks you to write an original story that is no longer than 500 words, which is about two pages long. The main goal is to let your imagination go wild without worrying too much about spelling or grammar. Who Can Join? The contest is open to children aged 5-7 and 8-11. Because there are two age groups, you will be judged alongside other kids your own age. The deadline is Friday, November 6th at 9 pm, so get your ideas ready early! How to Write a Great Story: 1. Pick a fun idea—think about a brave animal, a magical adventure, or a cool mystery. 2. Plan a beginning, middle, and end—every story needs a start, a problem, and a happy or surprising finish. 3. Use exciting words—describe how things look, sound, and feel so the reader can imagine your world. 4. Keep it short—500 words is the limit, so make every sentence count. 5. Show, don't tell—use actions and talking to explain what is happening in the plot. Meet the Judges: Your story will be read by a famous team of authors, actors, and comedians, including Malorie Blackman, Charlie Higson, Francesca Simon, Sir Lenny Henry, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and Rose Ayling-Ellis. They love stories, so they will be looking for creativity, imagination, and a good mood. What Happens After You Submit? The top 25 stories in each age group will be recorded and shared on the 500 Words website. Six winners (bronze, silver, and gold for each group) will receive a royal invitation to have tea with the Queen. The winners' stories will be read on The One Show in early March and put into a special book. Gold winners' schools will receive 500 books for their library, and every winner gets a National Book Token. Each winner also receives a beautiful framed picture of their story drawn by a top British illustrator. Live Lesson and Tips: On Wednesday, September 30th at 11 am, there will be a 500 Words Live Lesson where authors Katherine Rundell, Adam Kay, and Hannah Gold will answer your questions. It is a fantastic chance to learn writing tricks and get inspired. Did You Know? 500 words is about the length of a short story you might find in a school book. The contest has been running for over 10 years, and the Queen has supported it for a whole decade. The judges include famous writers who have created books you might already love reading. Why This Is Important: Writing helps you think clearly, share your ideas, and show others the world through your eyes. By entering 500 Words, you get to practice these skills in a fun way and might even be noticed by famous authors and the Queen! Ready to Write? Grab a notebook, think of a cool idea, and start writing. Remember: the goal is to let your imagination shine, not to worry about perfect spelling. Submit your work before November 6th at 9 pm, and you could be the next person to have tea with the Queen and see your story on TV!