The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition is an annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the prestigious Branford Boase Award which was set up in memory of the outstanding children’s writer Henrietta Branford and the gifted editor, Wendy Boase, Editorial Director of Walker Books. They worked together on a number of books, a partnership they greatly enjoyed. They both died of cancer in 1999. Henrietta Branford felt that a children’s writing competition was an important way to find and encourage the writers of the future.

The competition is open to anyone under the age of 19. Each year there are hundreds of entries from all over the country, often thanks to the encouragement of teachers and school librarians. Entrants have to complete a story begun by the winning author of the previous year's Branford Boase Award. The competition is usually judged by Nikki Gamble of Writeaway and the ‘Just Imagine’ Story Centre in Chelmsford.

Each summer the winners of the best six stories are invited with their families to attend the Branford Boase Award celebration party in London. There they can meet Dame Jacqueline Wilson and the authors shortlisted for the BBA award as well as editors, publishers, agents, and other professionals in this field. Each young winner receives a copy of all of the books shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and are able to have their books signed.

For more information and to send your work