Fancy yourself as an author? Here’s your chance to win a Sweetpea3 player and hear your story right here on Storynory. And even if you don’t win, we plan to publish the texts of all entries that we deem fit to publish.
Our thanks to Sweetpea3 for sponsoring the competition. Check out their MP3 player which is made especially with kids in mind.
Here are the rules:
- Send us your story by 21 March 2010 to bertie@storynory.com
- Tell us your date of birth
- The story must be entirely your own work
- The story must be suitable for children
- You can be any age to enter – but to win a prize you must be thirteen years old or younger.
- We aim to publish the TEXTS of All entries by EVERYONE of ANY age who enters – but will only do so if we deem them suitable for Storynory.
- By entering this competition, you are giving us permission to publish your story.
- The writers of the two stories that we judge to be best will win a Sweetpea3 MP3 player dispatched by Sweetpea3.
- The story that we judge best will be read, recorded and published as AUDIO and TEXT on the Storynory website and podcast.
- The story should not be longer than 1700 words.
- Our decision is final, but of course our judgment is subjective, and you must promise us that if you don’t win, you won’t be put off writing, because life is inevitably just a little bit unfair, and besides, writers have to be tough because there’s an awful lot of rejection and criticism to get used to.
119 Comments
Cool. A competition!
Just a quick question. Is there a specific genre or theme writers have to write about?
Thanks.
Kala
Hi Kala we are leaving the subject open. It just has to be suitable for kids.
This Is A Great Competition.
I Love It. I Have Got To Go Now Because I Have To Write A Story For This Competition!!!!
From Emily
Yay! I am definitly entering!
Hi,Bertie
I am Julia and I am in the third grade.Do you really possibly think that I could win if I entered?
from,Julia
P.S.
please answer me Bertie
bye,bye
I just wanted to say that I love music and stories
Dear Julia Anything is possible, but I can’t say until we’ve read all the entries. What I can say is that we will publish the text of your story on the site and any pictures you send us – so in that way everybody is a winner. We are only planning to record the audio of one story though. Two stories will win Sweetpea3 players, and of course we might spot all sorts of tallent.
Hi Bertie,
I’m definetely entering! I’ve never won in a competition before. Thanks for the good opportunity!
-Arun
PS:I live in India. Can I still participate?
Dear Bertie, if my mum types my story (she’s typing my message), can I still enter the competition? I am 7 and my spelling is not always great.
thankyou
Hi Bertie-
I am a 4th grade student from New York City (PS 189) I have a question. Can people from United States enter the competition? Have you any stories about Sherlock Holmes?
Dear Yarlyn,
Anyone can enter from any part of the world. We don’t have any Sherlock Holmes right now, but one day perhaps.
Dear Flynn, we expect mums and dads to help with typing and spelling. That’s fine. It’s just the creation that has to be yours !
Dear Arun, yes you can enter from India, America, or anywhere in the world.
how do i enter.
Cythnia, Just read the rules above, write your story, and send it to bertie@storynory.com
how many stories can u enter???
Hi Bertie. I’m in 4th grade. How would a story get read on storynory?
This sounds awesome!!!! BTW Bertie, I’m writing a book and I’ve published the first chapter on my blog. It isn’t going to be my contest entry but can you tell me what you think of it?
Hannah~
Dear Maddy, We are only promising to read the one best story, but we will publish all the texts that we receive .
Dear Cleo
We didn’t say how many you can enter but we are assuming that people will send us one story.
Hannah can you give us the link to the page with your chapter on it? I looked at your blog – it’s a nice site – but I couldn’t find the story.
I changed my link so that when you click on it it takes you straight to the book.
Hannah~
The link didn’t work. Just go to my blog and click My Writing Page, Up at the top, and you’re there!
Hannah~
P.S. I’m working on my entry right now.
Dear Hannah, I’ve had a quick look, and I think your style is very sophisticated. My suggestion is to have a little less dialog and a little more description and explanation, and that way I think it will be easier for the reader to understand the context and what is happening. Keep this up. I am sure that you will mature into quite a writer ! And I think your blog is really nice.
What’s your favorite genre?
Does the story have paragraphs and speech marks? Please reply Bertie.
From Lulu
Dear Lulu Paragraphs and speech marks will help. You can ask an adult to help you with spelling, punctuation and typing so long as the story is yours.
Dear Bertie,
I think I am going to write a story for the competition!
From Isabella!
P.S I am the cousin of Julia who posted her note on Feb. 10 at 6:07 p.m! Writ back quickly!!!
Isabella, I’m looking forward to your story, and cousin Julia’s.
hello i am stardoll from p.s 189 i want to rite a story about little princesess can i rite one
hello ia ma a beatfull princess
Bertie,
In the Rules it says that the story must be entirely your own work,does that mean I can’t include you and your friends in the story or does it mean parents can’t help you- or both?
Please reply!
Hi Bertie–
I am a 4th grade student from new city (P.S.189).I have a question for you.Have you any books about new york city?????
where do u send your story———bertie
Stacey, we don’t yet have any stories about NYC. Sorry.
Stacey, send your story to bertie@storynory.com
Georgia, yes you can write about me, my friends, storynory characters, but not characters from say Harry Potter or any text belonging to another author. Your parents can help you with spelling, punctuation, grammar, and suggestions, but it must be your story in your own words.
Stardoll, yes, you certainly can write about little princesses.
If you send the story an win, how will you give us the mp3? are you going to ship it for free?
Dear Alex We will publish the mp3 on the site so everyone can download it – just like one of our own stories .
Is there any runner up prizes?
Please reply
Hi Bertie,
How many people do you think will enter the competition?
-Isabella
Dear Emily, There are two mp3 players and Every story will be printed on the site with the text – though we are only promising to read out one and record it. So hopefully everybody will get something !
Dear Isabella, I don’t know how many people have entered, but if you just look at the comments here, I think you can see that a lot of people are interested. As I’ve mentioned, we aim to print the TEXTS of all the entries on the site, so everybody should get something out of it. We will read out and record one story, and there will be two mp3 players – as prizes.
Bear Bertie,
What do you judge the stories on?
-Isabella
P.S. How long do you estmate a story should be?
bertie,
if u make a real good story.do u think people will call me to buy it ???????????
if i make a real good story will people buy me it ???
to:bertie
Stacey, you may have noticed that we give our stories away for free, so I can’t comment on what stories people will buy.
Isabella, we say a maximum of 1,700 words which should work out at about 15 minutes or so. But actually we would like stories to be shorter so that if possible – just maybe – we can read out more than one. I’m afraid we’ll just judge the story on how much we enjoy it. As we said in rule 11, it’s not possible to be entirely fair in such a competition, but as we are going to publish all the texts people will be able to judge for themselves which is the best.
Dear Bertie,
Are we allowed to enter our own copywrited meterial?
-Isabella
P.S. Do you say who the winners are on line?
Isabella, the important thing is that the work is yours. If you want to copyright in your own name, you can. BUT the rules say that by entering this competition you are giving us permission to publish your story – so yes, it will be here online for everyone to read. I shouldn’t worry about it. If you are a good writer, you can always write another story if people like your work. The biggest problem a writer faces is to get known.
Thanks Bertie you are a great help!
-Isabella
Can I submit more than one story?
Hi Gladys, I think we will have to say one story each. But there will be other competitions.
Bertie, let me get this straight. I am not yet 13, so if I enter and win, does that mean I will not get a MP3 player? Please reply,
-Katie
bertie will the winner get1000 dollars and could they sell there stories
if i win will i get something else because that mp3 player seems boring
How do you send the mp3 player
hi bertie this is my 1st visit to storynory.com i like writing esspecially for the tiny tots though i am a ten yr old my teachers and parents have encouraged me a lot hope you’ll like my storie bye
but my question is that can i write as many stories as i want and post all of them?
Katie, If you are not yet 13, you are eligible to win an MP3 player – so you are in with a chance.
(if you are older than 13 you only get the glory – because the mp3 player is specially made for kids)
Anushaka – please choose your one best story and send it to us.
Cattien – the two mp3 players will be sent out by the Sweetpea Toy Company to the winners.
Julie, unfortunately we won’t be giving a 1000 dollars to the winner. There isn’t as much money in writing stories as some people seem to think! But the winner will get fame and glory by being on Storynory.
Everyone – if you can read through my previous replies before commenting it will be a help, because I am answering the same question over again sometimes.
where do we write our date of birth?
what the minimum of words because i guess the maximum is 1700 words?
please reply
–bertie—
can i write my story in script?
I just sent you one!!!
hello is anyone their????
Hi Stacey, sorry for my slow reply to your question. I did see your comment this morning but then got distracted by life.
We would much prefer it if you could send us a typed script in an email or attachment. This will save us retyping it to publish on the site. Can you ask a grown up to type it for you? If all else fails, well, yes, you can send your script to 26 Star Street W2 1QB, UK – but be sure that it reaches here by 21 March. Or scan it and send as an attachment.
There is no minimum number of words. If you can tell a story in three words, then do.
Just write your Date of Birth by your name at the top of the story, or in the email that accompanies it.
ok,thanks bertie
Dearest Bertie,
Im 13 so does that mean i am eligiable for entry? Did i spell eligiable correctly? Can people from the same family enter one each or as a group?
Yours in need of reply
Miky
Hi Mikymak123, Yes, you are eligible for prize if you are still 13.
And to those who are older than 13, you can enter for the glory of seeing your text on the site – It’s just that the two Sweetpea3 mp3 players will go to winners who are 13 years old or younger.
Hi bertie,
I am 12 years old and I am thinking of entering. I was just wondering if the story has to entertain and is there an age group for the story to be targeted at? Does it matter if the story is quite long?
Please Reply. Thank you
Rahul
Dear Rahul, We prefer shorter stories because they would be easier for us to read out, but the maximum is 1,700 words. Most people are sending us a page or two. The story has to be suitable for children. I would say the ideal age range is 7 to ten years old, but our stories appeal to a very wide age range indeed. Some on this site, like say the Snow Queen, are enjoyed by both children and adults – so the important thing is that children will like it. Good luck and looking forward to reading your story.
Thanks Bertie the info really helped. Im on my way to finishing my story!
Thanks Again
Rahul
what’s you’re favorite genre for stories?
Dear Birtie,
Did you get my story? How do you like it? Please, don’t be polite and just say it honestly.If it’s terrible, please say that it is. If my story need something such as dialoge, please tell me. That would be much more helpful.
Please reply.
-Very Anxious Michelle♡
Oh, and it’s okay if I send you a better story later isn’t it? If I do, please judge on the story I send later.
-Still anxious Michelle
I’m entering!! Is there a character limit? as in like, you know 500 word limit or something.
Hi Ariel, the limit 1,700 words.
I Michelle, Many thanks. I did receive your story. I did enjoy reading it and replied by email. We said it’s only one entry per person, but if you want to send another one that’s fine. Just say which story you want to go into the competition.
Well bertie, is my story all right?
please reply
cul8r,
Michelle
Dear Michelle, your story is nice. I can’t really comment beyond that because this is a competition and I have to be fair to everyone – and if I started saying I like this story or that it would look like I had pre-judged the competition. I hope you understand.
Hi again, Bertie! it’s me Georgia.
I was wondering if you could describe Princess Beatrice to me. Like, does she have brown curly hair? Does she have blue eyes? Please reply as soon as possible!!
Dear Georgia beatrice has brown curly hair and blue eyes
ToBertie
Can roups enter if they are willing to share the prize if they were to win.
Pease reply speedily
Sorry if im repaeting myself but can groups enter if they are all 13 or under and are willing to share the prize.
I am so excited!
How many stories can you enter? Can you enter more than one? Because i would love to write more than one.
Thanks,
Sabrinia
dear Bertie,
when someone wins how do you know where to send the MP3 player and do you have to pay for it when you win?
I <3 your stories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bertie, what do you judge the storys on?
please reply as soon as possible.
Michelle♡
Dear M&M Sorry I can’t always reply right away, but do my best to be prompt. Yes, it’s fine for a group to enter.
Michelle, We will judge the story mostly on plot and character.
Dear Toni, We will ask the two winners of the mp3 players to send us their addresses. We try to collect personal information on a need to know basis, which is why we do not ask for addresses initially.
Sorry Bertie but I ndeed a bit more descripion (did i spell that right?)like is she girly or sporty? what’s her favourite colour? What does she like to do in her spare time? Anything you can tell me about beatrice will be FANTASTIC!
Please reply soon~
GEORGIA
I need a bit more description, i meant.
Dear Georgia, Beatrice loves animals and nature. She goes for walks with her notebook and draws flowers and rabbits. She also does everything she can to help children. She goes once a week to the orphanage and helps out there. She’s not at all sporty really. Some people says she’s a bit soppy, but she’s the most wonderful princess who ever lived in the whole wide world.
can you write a story say, about rapenzel?
Dear Bertie,
You didnt answer my question that i wrote 2 days ago, ill just ask it again,
I am so excited!
How many stories can you enter? Can you enter more than one? Because i would love to write more than one.
Thanks,
Sabrinia
please reply soon
Dear Emma, You can write a story about a classic character (not a modern one that might be in copyright – ask mum and dad about that). But put a new and original spin on the story.
Dear Sabrinia, Sorry if I missed your question. Just one story per entry. You can change your mind later and send another story, but you must tell us which one you want to go into the competition before March 21.
dear Bertie
i just wanted to ask a question.
If you don’t win do you get the sweetpea3
still?
Because I’ve written a few stories already!
please reply back!!
from sharanya
Dear Sharanya, Only two winners will receive a sweetpea3. . But everyone will see the text of their story on the site, so that’s a prize, I hope. Also we will read out the one we like best.
Thanks so much, Bertie! It was really helpful infomation!!!
Hi um Bertie what is the shortest a story can be???
-A. Mazing
Dear a. Mazing, the story can be as short as you like.
Bertie i wrote a story at school right before i heard about does that count
Iris yes, that’s fine. It doesn’t matter that you wrote your story for school. You can still enter it into the competitiion if it is your own work.
Hi Bertie,
I wrote a story for world Book day in school today. Its not being published or anything it was a competition at school. It was my own work.But it won a competition. Can i still enter it?
Please reply soon
Queena xxx
Hi Bertie, I’m from Quito, Ecuador and I wanted to know if I’ll get the MP3 if I win,
thanks,
-Isabela
thanks Bertie! and yes it is my own story
Isabela, Our sponsor Sweatpea3 can send the player to anywhere in the world.
Hi Queena, yes you can enter it.
Thanks!!
can you do a story like “The Chix” were they have a whole bunch of storys, but are still the same compatition
do you have to spell the words right
please reaply soon
Thanks Bertie
Q
Kiwi, We won’t judge on spelling, and you can do a story with episode, so long as it all adds up to one story.
Bertie, did you get my story?
Queena xxxx
Dear Queena, The story has safely arrived. Many thanks. Sorry I have only just acknowledged it with a reply email.
where do you submit your story?
Dear Olivia send your story to bertie@storynory.com
Ok, thanks Bertie! I was a bit confused . . . Sorry I took so long to reply our computer sorta broke down for a little bit