BBC 500 Words unveils 50 young finalists after record-breaking entries
The BBC 500 Words competition has revealed its shortlist of 50 stories after receiving over 46,500 entries from young writers across the UK. The finalists were debated by judges, including Her Majesty The Queen, in late January.
The winning stories will be celebrated at a grand final in February, with six tales brought to life by celebrity readers at Windsor Castle.
This year's competition saw a record number of submissions, with children aged 5 to 13 crafting original stories. The goal of the contest is to inspire creativity and a love of reading by encouraging young writers to create the kind of tales they would enjoy themselves.
On January 28th, the judging panel—featuring Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce—reviewed the top 50 entries. Cottrell-Boyce praised the imagination and range of the stories. The Queen also took part in the discussions, adding her perspective to the selection process.
The grand final will take place at Windsor Castle in February, where six winning stories will be read aloud by well-known celebrities. The young authors of these tales will meet The Queen and receive prizes, including books and a place in a special illustrated winners' anthology.
The event will later be broadcast on BBC One, CBBC, and BBC iPlayer in March. Additionally, BBC Radio 2's Sara Cox will host a World Book Day special and a dedicated BBC 500 Words programme on BBC Sounds.
The winners will see their stories published in a book featuring illustrations, though no artists have yet been announced. Their work will reach a wide audience through television and radio broadcasts. The competition continues to grow, offering young writers a platform to share their creativity with the nation.
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