Please read our FAQ and Rules pages before you submit a story. Please be aware that we are unable to send you a copy of any submitted stories, so make sure you keep one.
Who can enter 500 Words?
500 Words is open to any child who is aged between 5 and 13 years old on 12th June 2020, and is a full time resident of the UK.
The competition celebrates imagination and creativity – not spelling and grammar! – so all children of all abilities are invited to enter.
How to enter
We can only accept entries that have been submitted through our online form, using a registered 500 Words account. Parents, guardians or teachers can create a SUBMITTER ACCOUNT HERE.
Entrants must follow steps 1-6 on the submission form to save their story as a draft, before submitting.
If you have already registered for a submitter account – log in HERE
Please don’t leave registration to the last minute!
Stories can be copied and pasted into the submission form within the account (please read our Rules regarding this) or stories can be saved as drafts along the way.
Teachers can also save a whole class worth of drafts onto their account at once using our handy multiple uploader tool! Once happy, these can all be submitted simultaneously.
If you are submitting stories but would also like to apply to be a judge, it’s best to register for a JUDGE ACCOUNT as this account will also allow you to submit entries.
What happens next?
Once stories have been submitted entrants will be able to download a 500 Words certificate to celebrate their achievement!
We’ll be in touch in April to let submitters know whether their stories have made it through the first round of judging.
Get writing, and good luck!
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If you are still having trouble, do drop us an email 500words@bbc.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.