400 Words for Leeds 400. Leeds Lit Fest Launches Children’s Writing Competition: Everything Young Writers Need to Know to Enter

Got a story buzzing in your head? Or maybe just a single brilliant sentence? Well, for the young people of Leeds, now is the perfect time to get those ideas down on paper. The Leeds Lit Fest has just launched a city-wide competition, calling on the next generation of storytellers to share their voices. It’s all part of a huge celebration for the city, and it’s a chance for young writers to show off their incredible creativity and imagination. In a fantastic partnership with The Grammar School at Leeds and with support from the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, this is an open invitation for every child and teenager to get involved in some exciting creative writing.

Image: Zoe Cooper

So, what’s the big idea?

This year is a bit special for Leeds. Back in 1626, King Charles I gave the city its first Royal Charter. Think of it like a super-important birthday certificate that officially recognised Leeds as a significant place. That was 400 years ago. To mark this massive milestone, the Leeds Lit Fest has created the ‘400 Words for Leeds 400’ competition. The challenge is simple: write something. Anything, really. It could be a story, a poem, a monologue, or even a piece of creative non-fiction. The only rule is that it has to be a maximum of 400 words. The theme can be about the city of Leeds, its history or future, or it can be about the number 400. Maybe it’s a story about 400 hedgehogs trying to cross a road, or a poem with exactly 400 letters. The possibilities are endless.

Bronagh Daly, the Partnerships' Director at Leeds Lit Fest, is clearly buzzing about it:

“This is our first ever citywide creative writing competition for children and young people from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through to Sixth Form. It’s time for our young people to get creative and help Leeds Lit Fest to celebrate 400 years of Leeds receiving its Royal Charter from King Charles I back in 1626.”

This competition is a fantastic way for young people to connect with their city's history and its long literary tradition.

Who can get involved? (Hint: everyone!)

This isn’t just for the kids who are always top of the class in English. Not at all. This is for everyone. It’s for the doodlers, the daydreamers, the quiet thinkers, and the ones who have a secret story they’ve never told anyone. Bronagh Daly continued:

“The young people of Leeds have so much talent and it is only right that we shine a light on their capacity for radical imagination, especially for the children who might think that creative writing is not for them. All we ask is to see heaps of creativity in every submission!”

The competition is open to all ages, from the little ones just starting their school journey right up to students in Sixth Form. The entire point is to unlock that spark of imagination. It doesn’t matter if someone has written a hundred stories or if this is their very first one. The Grammar School at Leeds and the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society were quick to support the idea, recognising the importance of nurturing new talent across the city.

Image source: Leeds Lit Fest's Partnerships Director Bronagh Daly. Image suppled.jpg

Michael Hall, Principal of The Grammar School at Leeds, added: “Leeds has a long and proud literary tradition, and we are delighted to partner with Leeds Lit Fest to launch a new writing competition for young people across the city region. The theme of this inaugural competition is ‘400’, marking the quatercentenary of Leeds receiving its first Royal Charter from King Charles I. We will be inviting children and young people to reflect on the city’s first 400 years and be inspired to put pen to paper, writing stories and creating poems.”

Don't worry about the red pen

Here’s the best bit. The judges aren’t looking for perfection. The judging panel isn’t going to be circling every spelling mistake or getting hung up on grammar. They have one main mission: to find the most creative and imaginative pieces of writing. So, there’s no need to panic about whether a comma is in the right place. The focus is purely on the story, the idea, and the raw creativity. This approach ensures that the competition is accessible to all, encouraging participation without the pressure of getting every single word perfect. The goal is to get young people excited about literature and writing, not to test them on their punctuation skills. This freedom allows for a more authentic and personal form of expression, which is what creative writing is all about.

Let's talk about the good stuff: prizes!

Of course, what’s a competition without some brilliant prizes? There are fantastic rewards up for grabs in every single age category. Winners will receive book tokens for themselves and, even better, for their schools too. It’s a win-win. But it doesn’t stop there. The winning entries, all under 400 words, will be published online for everyone to read and admire. And the grand finale? An invitation to a special awards event at a popular venue in Leeds. This celebration event is a chance for winners to be recognised for their amazing work, receive certificates, and maybe even read their stories out loud. Imagine that! The winners will be notified via their school or responsible adult on Friday 15th May 2026, so they can get ready for the big celebration event.

More than just a competition

Getting involved in creative activities like this does more than just fill an afternoon. It’s actually brilliant for the brain. Bronagh Daly concluded by mentioning some important research:

"The National Literacy Trust research tells us that when children and young people enjoy writing and write daily in their free time, their critical thinking skills, confidence, creativity and wellbeing benefit. Leeds Lit Fest would love to play our part by encouraging every child in Leeds to use their imagination and great creative."

It’s about building confidence, developing critical thinking, and finding a new way to express thoughts and feelings. The Leeds Lit Fest, a Community Interest Company, is dedicated to promoting literature and inspiring people through the power of words. The festival itself, running from Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th June 2026, is a huge celebration of the city's literary scene, featuring author talks, workshops, and performances.

The important details

Ready to get writing? Here’s everything you need to know to get that entry in. The deadline is sharp, so don’t leave it to the last minute!

• The Challenge: Write an original story, poem, monologue, or piece of creative non-fiction up to 400 words.

• The Theme: Your piece can be about Leeds or the number 400. Let your imagination run wild.

• The Deadline: You must submit your entry before 12pm midday on Friday 8th May 2026.

• How to Enter: Submissions should be made using the official entry link. If a piece is handwritten or a teacher is submitting for a group, they can contact enquiries@leedslitfest.co.uk.

• Judging: The judging panel will be awarding marks for creativity, not for spelling or grammar. So just focus on the ideas!

• Winners Announced: Teachers and responsible adults will be informed about winners on Friday 15th May 2026, with details about the awards event to follow. This will be a great celebration event for everyone involved in this literary festival.

This is a truly brilliant opportunity for the young people of Leeds to be part of their city’s history and its vibrant literary tradition. It’s a chance to have fun with words, unleash some creativity, and maybe even win some fantastic prizes. Good luck!