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If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a published children’s author, this is your moment …

The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition, now the biggest writing competition for children’s authors in the UK, is open for entries! 

Now in its 19th year, this contest has been a launchpad for some of the most exciting voices in children’s literature – and this year, there are TWO £10,000 publishing deals up for grabs. 

Our prestigious competition has helped kick-start the careers of award-winning writers like Jasbinder Bilan, whose winning submission Asha and the Spirit Bird won the Costa Children’s Book Award; Nicki Thornton, bestselling author of The Last Chance Hotel; and Efua Traoré, whose Children of the Quicksands was shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize. If you’ve written a full-length novel for readers aged 7 to 18, this is your opportunity to join their ranks.

The competition is open to unpublished, unagented writers from anywhere in the world, and we welcome stories across all genres of children’s and young adult fiction. Submitting is simple: upload your manuscript via the Chicken House website, along with a cover letter and synopsis in one document. Every entry is carefully read by a team of experienced readers and publishing experts, and shortlisted manuscripts are judged by an incredible panel, including Barry Cunningham, the original publisher of Harry Potter, and A.F. Steadman, author of the bestselling Skandar series.

The winner will receive a worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House and a £10,000 advance, plus a discussion about representation with a leading literary agent. There’s also the Broken Binding Prize, dedicated to YA sci-fi, fantasy, and speculative fiction, offering the same publishing deal and £10,000 advance.

The closing date for entries is 1st June 2026, so don’t wait! This is your chance to take the first step toward becoming a published author and joining the ranks of some of the UK’s most exciting voices in children’s fiction.

Ready to enter? Submit your manuscript now and let your story shine in the UK’s biggest children’s writing competition. Follow us on social media for all the latest updates!