Nature the theme for creative writing competition

Tuesday 10 January 2023

The Literary Festival’s WriteStuff competition is back for 2023, with young writers encouraged to create a short story inspired by their love of nature.

The competition, which officially began on Monday 9, is open to all pupils across the Bailiwick. It attracted nearly 800 stories last year.

Four top writers have been announced as judges: M G Leonard, Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, Sita Brahmachari and Huw Lewis-Jones - himself Guernsey educated.

Entrants are asked to produce a 300-word story all about nature. They will be judged on creativity, clarity, style, accuracy of language and the link to the natural world. 

There are four classes, Primary - years three to six, Intermediate - years seven to nine, and Senior - years ten and above, as well as a class for special educational needs - SEND. 

The closing date for entries is Friday 10 March, which should be submitted through the website where further information can be found. 

The winners in each class will be announced in May with a prize giving ceremony on Saturday 13 May. 

There will be a cash prize of £50 and a trophy for each winner in, with £25 cash prizes for second and third places. There is also a £50 cash prize and a certificate for both primary and secondary winners of the SEND class.

Pictured: The four judges for this year’s WriteStuff competition: Joseph Coelho, Huw Lewis-Jones, Sita Brahmachari and M G Leonard (clockwise from top left). 

Primary judge M G Leonard is the bestselling writer of children’s books such as Beetle Boy, the Adventures on Trains series, and The Twitchers books. Her books have been translated into over forty languages and Beetle Boy is currently in development as a live-action series for TV.

Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, the intermediate judge, is an award-winning performance poet, playwright and children’s author based in Kent. He writes for children of all ages; his picture books include the critically acclaimed Luna Love series and If All the World Were which won the Independent Bookshop Week Book Award. 

Sita Brahmachari, senior judge, never dreamed that she would one day become a writer of plays, short stories, animation, and novels for young people. Since she won the Waterstones Book Award with her first novel Artichoke Hearts. Her story Tender Earth was honoured by The International Board of Books for Young People and Amnesty International.

Huw Lewis-Jones, SEND judge, who went to Elizabeth College, is the author of many books including the bestselling The Writer’s Map and Swallowed by a Whale: How to Survive the Writing Life, which included secrets and insights into the writing lives of sixty accomplished authors. He is a professor of Environment and Culture at Falmouth University as well as Expedition Leader of voyages to the North Pole.

WriteStuff is back for 2023 

This year, young writers in the Bailiwick are being given the chance to use their imaginations to write a 300-word story which inspires and reconnects the reader with a love for nature.#WriteStuff2023 #GsyLitFest
1/4 pic.twitter.com/Ymok4RffSb

— Guernsey Lit Fest (@GuernseyLitFest) January 9, 2023

Karen Martin of sponsors Julius Baer Guernsey, said: “The protection of the natural world is one of the fundamental issues of our time and getting young people to increase their interest and understanding of the natural world around them is so important. 

“The competition also encourages unique thinking and creativity which we value greatly - this is why we have been keen to support the WriteStuff competition over the years.” 

Winners will also receive a signed book and an original illustration by local artist James de la Rue, who has been commissioned to produce bespoke illustrations of the winning stories. These will also be displayed at the Guille-Allès Library and local schools. 

Up to five additional ‘highly commended’ prizes will also be available in each category, who will receive a £10 book token and a certificate as well as their story published online.

The competition is sponsored by Julius Baer and promoted by Guernsey Literary Festival partners including Betley Whitehorne Image, the Guille-Allès Library, Guernsey Arts, and Island Families.