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Budding young writers are encouraged to enter this year's WriteStuff competition but they need to keep their topics 'top secret'.
The theme for this year is stories inspired by detectives or spies. The challenge is to write an imaginary 300-word story which could involve crime, mystery, investigation or a secret mission.
The competition is open to all children in the Bailiwick. The young writers will be assessed on how they present their ideas through imagination, style and emotion.
There are four classes in the competition with prizes in each. The classes are: school years three to six; school years seven to nine, school years 10 and over; and young writers with special educational needs.
WriteStuff is sponsored by Julius Baer and is part of the Guernsey Literary Festival, which is supported by Betley Whitehorne Image, the Guille-Allès Library, Guernsey Arts and Island Families.
The competition will be judged by acclaimed writers Anthony Horowitz, Michael Rosen, Elly Griffiths and Huw Lewis-Jones.
This year's filter judges are Rachel Wyatt and Adam Bayfield from the Guille-Allès Library, local author and former journalist Nick Le Messurier, and Catriona Stares, the founder of the Guernsey Literary Festival.
Pictured: (clockwise from top right) Elly Griffiths, Huw Lewis-Jones, Michael Rosen and Anthony Horowitz.
The deadline for WriteStuff entries is Friday 4 March. Winners will be announced in May with prizes awarded during the 2022 Guernsey Literary Festival that month.
In the age-group classes, there is a cash prize of £50 and a trophy for the winner and cash prizes of £25 for second and third places. In the special educational needs class, there is a £50 cash prize and a certificate for both primary-age and secondary-age winners.
Winners will also receive a signed book and original illustration by local artist James de la Rue, who has been commissioned to produce bespoke illustrations of the winning stories. The winning stories and illustrations will also be displayed at the Guille-Allès Library and in local schools.
Up to five highly commended prizes will also be available in each category. Each highly commended winner will receive a £10 book token and a certificate as well as having their story published on the WriteStuff website.
All entries should be submitted through the WriteStuff website which can be accessed HERE.
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