Shine! Alderney Library Children’s Writing Competition 2026

Do you love telling stories, writing poems, or letting your imagination run wild?

Alderney Library is delighted to launch our Children’s Writing Competition 2026, with this year’s theme:

✨ Shine! ✨

Whether it’s a bright idea, a special memory, an unexpected moment, or a character discovering who they are, we want to see where the theme takes you.

The competition is open to children aged 5–16, with three age categories and a chance to have your work celebrated during Alderney Week. We have some fantastic prizes available, thanks to the very generous sponsorship of the Rotary Club.

Age categories for the Alderney Library writing competition

Ages 5–7

“The Brightest Thing“

Think about something bright, happy, or special. It could be a person, a place, an object, or even something magical. What makes it shine?

Ages 8–11

“A Moment to Shine“

Not all shining moments are big or obvious… It could be a quiet moment, a surprise, or something unexpected….

Ages 12–16

“Stepping Into the Light“

Light can reveal, change, or expose.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Alderney Library Short Story Writing Competition 2026

Any child based in or visiting Alderney this summer. There are three age categories:

  • 5-7 years
  • 8-11 years
  • 12-16 years

The age category a child is in should be based on the child’s age on 7 August 2026.

  • Ages 5–7: up to 200 words
  • Ages 8–11: 300–600 words
  • Ages 12–16: 500–1,000 words

Children may also include illustrations if they wish.

Entries may be neatly handwritten or typed. They can be submitted physically (to the Alderney Library desk) or digitally (to alderney-library@hotmail.co.uk) by the deadline of 4pm on the 7th August.

Entries must be accompanied by the child’s full name, age, title of the piece, and a parent/guardian contact number. We will use this to contact winners to let them know to attend the prizegiving.

The most important thing is that the finished result is your work.

Support from teachers, parents and friends is encouraged. They can help you with ideas, checking spelling, or reading through drafts to make sure the story makes sense. However, they shouldn’t write the story for you – we want to see your words shining, not theirs!

AI is a tool like any other. AI tools may be used to help with brainstorming, planning, or finding vocabulary, in the same way that writers use dictionaries or thesauruses or the internet. However, the final writing must be written by you, in your own words and style.

All entries must be received by 4pm on Friday 7 August 2026. We cannot accept late entries, as we will need to judge quickly so we can contact winners ahead of the prizegiving on Saturday 8th.

If you are an Alderney resident who will be away on the 7th/8th August, you may still enter digitally. We will still read out winning entries at the Children’s Talent Show, and you will get your prize on your return.

We are looking for stories that:

  • Make good use of the theme and/or prompts, which may include an unusual take
  • Are written from the heart – we’d rather a few spelling or grammar mistakes in a true piece than a perfectly-rendered piece with no soul!
  • Make us feel an emotion (fear, anger, hope)

In addition, we’ll pay attention to vocabulary (use interesting words), grammar (interesting sentence structures are always fun) and readability (does it flow naturally?).

Ready to get writing?

Whether you’re writing about something magical, memorable, surprising, or inspiring, we’d love to read your work.

Good luck… and let your imagination shine!

Similar Posts

  • Storytime 27th June

    Posted on

    Our next storytime, aimed at 5-and-unders, will be held on the 27th June at the Alderney Library from 11am for about half an hour. The theme will be ‘under the sea’. Visitors and locals are all welcome, you do not have to be a member of the library and entry is free. Simply turn up,…

  • Revitalisation Questionnaire

    Posted on

    The Library is anxious to obtain views and ideas as to how we should make changes in its operation in order to counteract the dwindling interest. We therefore urge you to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MV2P3NF and add any other comments you may have Your views and comments are vital for the long term future of the…

  • Library Quiz Night

    Posted on

    We are holding our annual Quiz Night on Friday 13th November in the Catholic Hall starting at 6.30 p.m. Tickets cost £10 include a light buffet and are available from the Visitor Centre. All proceeds go towards library funds

  • Booksale

    Posted on

    The Library is commencing the Summer Booksale on Cavalcade Day at the Butes and continuing throughout the Summer in the Library. There will also be a sale of other merchandise including bookmarks, birthday books, and our latest offering, framed photographs of Alderney

  • Library Quiz Night

    Posted on

    “The Library held a highly successful Quiz Night on Friday evening. The Catholic Hall was packed to capacity with the  Island’s top brains and a nail-biting contest ended in the winning table (comprising James and Maeve Dent, Ian and Suzy Carter,Karen Hill and Penny Ash) claim victory by the narrowest of margin of one point!…