WordHound Children's Writing Competition (aged 12 and under) Closing date: Last Thursday of each month. Prizes: Goodie bags of sweets and stationery, publication on the blog and social media. Looking for: Under 300 words of funny, weird or otherwise unique writing, based on the topic of the month. Entry fee: Free. Other info: Monthly writing suggestions posted on the website and social channels. Website: www.wordhound.co.uk/competitions The Young Walter Scott Prize Closing date: 31st October 2020. Prizes: £500 travel grant and a 2-day trip to the Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland where they are presented with their prizes. All winning and highly commended writers see their work published in the special YWSP anthology and runners- up in each age category receive a book token. Looking for: Stories of between 800 and 2000. Entry fee: None stated. Other info: Open to 11 to 15 years and 11-19 year olds. Website: www.ywsp.co.uk 'My Wildlife' Young Nature Writers' Competition 2020. Closing date: 27th November 2020. There are two age categories: 8 - 10 and 11 - 16 years. Prizes: See website for wide range of prizes. Looking for: Writing can be in almost any form, including descriptive pieces, short stories, personal reflections, letters, journalism, diaries and accounts - fact or fiction. Entry fee: Not stated. Website: https://www.richardjefferies.org/young- nature-writers-competition ITS Groups Ltd Fiction & Novel Competition - Young Writers Closing date: 31st December 2020. Prizes: Young Writers: First Place:  £100  + Publication; 2 finalists : £50 +  Publication. Looking for: Any Subject. Entry Fee: £5. Website: https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/competitions The Elmbridge Literary Competition 2020 Closing Date: 5th February 2021. Prizes: First Prize £250. Theme:  ‘New World’. Looking for: Short stories and poems that explore new worlds. Entry fee for adults £5.under 18s free. Age categories: From 5yrs to 19 plus. https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/news/literary- competition/ Ghost Stories Closing Date: Open All Year Round For Prizes see website. Ghost Stories - we've all heard them and we've all been scared by them at one time or another. They can be terribly scary or simply funny, but either way they have been an attention-grabbing form of storytelling for centuries and leave people wondering whether what they've heard is fact or fiction! CLICK HERE… Poetry Idol Closing Date: Open All Year Round Who do you idolise? Is it your mum or dad? Your best friend? Your brother or sister? Perhaps there is a famous person, from a sports or film star to an author or musician that you admire and aspire to be like. Why are they your favourite person and why do they inspire you? CLICK HERE… Teen Poets Closing Date: Open All Year Round Teen Poets invites young adults aged 13+ to write a poem. If you're a teen, your voice needs to be heard and this is the place to get your message across! CLICK HERE… Pet Poetry Closing Date: Open All Year Round Write about your pet, your favourite animal or create a creature! Perhaps you'd like to write from an animal's point of view or about conservation? We can't wait to read your animal-inspired poems! Open to young writers aged 4-18 years old. CLICK HERE…