Kelpies Prize for Writing 2025 | Deadline: February 28, 2025.

The Kelpies Prize was launched in 2004 to find the best new Scottish writing for children. According to the organizers, the past winners and shortlist

Kelpies Prize for Writing 2025

The Kelpies Prize was launched in 2004 to find the best new Scottish writing for children. According to the organizers, the past winners and shortlisters have continued to have sparkling writing careers.

In 2019, they changed the format of the prize to reflect their new aims of nurturing and developing children’s writers in Scotland, asking entrants to submit a selection of writing samples as opposed to a complete manuscript. In addition, they introduced an all-new prize package including a mentoring programme with our experienced editorial team.

The entrants must reside in Scotland.

Submission Guidelines Kelpies Prize for Writing 2025

To enter the Kelpies Prize for Writing, you must submit the following using our online entry form:

1. The first five chapters of a book for children, either fiction or non-fiction OR a whole picture-book story

Tell them whether the book is:

  • a picture-book story for 3–6 year olds

• an early-reader chapter book for 6–8 year olds

  • a novel for 8–11 year olds

  • a novel with storylines and themes more suitable for 11–13 year olds

  • a work of non-fiction for any of the age groups listed above

  NOTE: They don't accept writing for young adult readers this year. If you write for young

adults, could you adapt your work appropriately for the 11-13 year-old age group?

2. A synopsis or summary of the book

 Please describe the storyline of your book, so we can see how it will develop. You can write

in any format, perhaps in paragraphs or bullet points, but it we expect it to be between 100

and 300 words.

3. A short piece of writing (1,000–3,000 words) for children that begins with either of these two lines:

  • It seemed like such an ordinary day...

OR

• I opened the door and found...

 This can be a short story, poetry or a picture-book text; it can be comic, dramatic, moving,

largely dialogue or whatever you like. It can be very different from your writing style in (1):

show them your range!

4. Some information about you

They are looking for writers who want to become children’s authors. The entry form includes

questions about what that involves, for example, promoting your book and working with

young people.

Other Writing Competitions Open for Submissions

• Kelpies Prize for Writing 2025 | Deadline: February 28, 2025
• Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition 2025 | Deadline: February 28, 2025
• The Bournemouth Writing Prize 2025 | Deadline: January 15, 2025
• New2theScene Poetry Competition 2024 | Deadline: December 1, 2024
• The Bath Children’s Novel Award 2024 | Deadline: November 30, 2024
• Anthology Travel Writing Competition 2024 | Deadline: November 30, 2024.
• Anthology Short Story Competition 2025 | Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Anthology Flash Fiction Competition | Deadline: September 30, 2025

FURTHER DETAILS

• Save your work either in MS Word or as a PDF.
• Please use at least a 12-point font, double line spacing, and include page numbers.
• Please save all three pieces of work in one document.
• Please name your file using the title of your main piece of writing (1).
• The word count for the main piece of writing is flexible; it will depend on the age range you
• are writing for.
• Picture books should be no more than 1,000 words; text only, no pictures required.
• Please divide picture book texts into 11–14 sections or ‘double-page spreads’.
• Please write mostly in English. We can accept stories that include other languages or regional dialects, but the writing must be accessible to most children living in Scotland. 
• We strongly advise that you research the types of books currently available for each age group to ensure that you submit your work in the most appropriate category. Bookshops and libraries are good places to do this kind of research.
• Work can be in any genre that is suitable for your chosen age group.

Prizes

This includes a mentorship with experienced editorial or design team, consideration for a publishing deal, plus £500 cash

Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Submit Here