500 Words
500 Words opens for entries 8am Tuesday 23 September - Friday 7 November, 9pm, 2025
Everything you need to know
From judges to prizes, here's everything you need to know.
Not every story starts with words - 500 Words partners Beano share their top tips on how to get inspiration for story-writing through drawing.
Nathan Bryon shares his top tips for this year's competition
Children's author, Nathan Bryon, shares his top tips for 5-7 year-olds who want to write a story and enter 500 Words 2024.
A Kind of Spark author, Elle McNicoll, shares her advice for writing stories
A Kind of Spark author, Elle McNicoll, shares her advice for this year's competition.
Chitra Soundar, author of CBeebies' Nikhil and Jay, answers questions on writing stories
CBeebies recently announced a brand new animated sitcom for children, Nikhil and Jay. We caught up with author of the books based on the series, Chitra Soundar, to ask her for her best advice for writing stories.
Joseph Coelho: "Observe the world around you"
The former Children's Laureate and 'Luna Loves...' writer has shared his top tips to kickstart story writing. Catch up on advice from other previous Children's Laureates here.
Julia Donaldson: "Read your story aloud"
The Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson, shares her top tips for writing a 500 Words story. Play the clip to your students in class to inspire them to put the pen to paper!
Jamie Oliver's advice for children who are dyslexic
Dyslexia can create a barrier to some children when writing their 500 Words story, so we reached out to TV Chef and children's author, Jamie Oliver, for some of his top tips.
CBeebies' George Webster shares his inspiration for writing
The CBeebies presenter and Strictly star, now turned children's author, George Webster, spills what helps him write an inspiring story.
