The City of Cape Town’s libraries are once again hosting a writing competition for children aged between nine and 13, with the winners being announced at the Open Book Festival in September.
Last year, the writing competition focused on environmental awareness, garnering entries from 100 young people. Given its success, the City’s Library and Information Services is rolling out the competition once more, imploring primary school learners, young book club members and children in the age group to participate.
Entries opened on Monday 5 May and will close on Friday 8 August.
The theme this year focuses on a mysterious box, where the writer has to imagine that they are exploring their school or local library when they stumble upon a mysterious box hidden away between the shelves. The box has strange symbols and emits a faint humming sound, and participants have to write a short story about what happens when they open up the box.
Stories can be written in English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa.
“Writing provides a creative outlet and also helps children to organise their thoughts and emotions. By putting pen to paper they learn a new way to communicate and use the written language to express themselves,” said Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee member for said Community Services and Health.
“Our children are creative with vivid imaginations and I’m sure the judges will have a hard time picking a winner. I want to encourage all our learners to participate as they could very well write their way to a future as authors.”
Submission criteria:
• must be between 500 and 1 500 words;
• must be an original story; no AI generated stories will be accepted;
• must be handwritten;
• can be in the form of a picture book, short or long story, or graphic novel; and
• drawings and illustrations are encouraged.
Key elements of the story:
• a mysterious box in a library setting;
• a magical adventure; and
• a relatable main character or object.
Tips to remember:
• use your imagination and be creative;
• must be original works
• points will be given for illustrations or drawings; and
• most importantly: have fun.
The prize-giving will take place during the Open Book Festival on Saturday 6 September.
- Learners or schools can submit their stories by sending an email to psp.libraries@capetown.gov.za. Alternatively, submit your story at the nearest library.
