Words for a Greener World
Short Story Writing Competition for Schools
Deadline Extended to Friday 16 January 2026!!
Essex Book Festival has teamed up with Essex Year of Opportunity to bring you the Words for a Greener World Short Story Competition – open to all schools in Essex.
It’s simple. All your students need to do is write a story of up to 500 words based around the theme of Climate Change by Friday 12 December Friday 16 January.
Read about our competition launch event at Tendring Primary School here.
Who can enter
Open to 7 – 16 year olds studying in Essex.
Age categories:
7 – 11 years
12 – 16 years
Entries must be submitted via the school. Homeschoolers can enter too.
Each participating school will be provided with a FREE digital resource pack providing writing tips for students and staff with a special focus on eco-literacy.
Each participating school to select a max of two entries per class, which will then be put forward for the countywide longlist.
Prizes
For each age category (7-11 years and 12-16 years):
1st place
Bundle of ‘Greener World’ books for the school provided by independent bookshop, Red Lion Books
£25 Red Lion Books gift voucher
Winning story to be published on Essex Book Festival website
Runners up x 3
£10 Red Lions Books gift voucher
Runners up stories to be published on Essex Book Festival website
Free Resource Pack
Download the FREE Learning Resource Pack for tips and techniques to help inspire and teach children how to write a great story.
Timings
The Words for a Greener World schools short story competition is open from 26th September and will close on Friday 16 January 2026.
All longlisted entries will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony at Chelmsford Theatre Studio on 28 February 2026 when the winners and runners up for each age category will be announced.
Judging
The judging will take place once the competition has closed.
There will be a team of judges including Essex Book Festival Director, Ros Green.
How to Enter
Stories can be submitted via our online entry form.
By entering the Words for a Greener World Short Story Competition you agree to accept all of the terms and conditions.
Manifesto For Essex
The Words for a Greener World Short Story Competition is part of our Manifesto for Essex activity.
Manifesto for Essex is a creative platform, developed by Essex Book Festival, for young people living in Essex and beyond to express their ideas about tackling climate change.
The Words for a Greener World Schools Short Story Writing Competition is kindly funded by Essex Year of Opportunity and Arts Council England. With thanks to Red Lion Books for kindly donating prizes.
