Best-selling author Minette Walters wants children and young people to share their lockdown experiences for a summer short story competition in aid of Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.  The competition will have two categories, age five to nine and 10 to 16, and will be judged by a panel, chaired by the author.

The winners and runners up in both categories will have their stories published on the Julia’s House website, with the winners receiving £100 each and the runners up £25 each. The prizes have been donated by the Addo Food Group.

Minette said, “I want children and young people to think about this different summer and let their imaginations run free. They can write about it as it was, or how they would have liked it to be. It doesn’t have to be their summer; it can be someone else’s – an imaginary friend, an animal, a parent or a grandparent.

“Writing is important for children because imagination will be their best friend throughout their life. The world is brighter when you paint it with colour and excitement.”

Stories must be titled ‘A Different Summer’ and be limited to a maximum of 300 words for five to nine-year-olds and 500 words for 10 to 16 -year-olds. Entries must be submitted on an official form available from the Julia’s House website:  juliashouse.org/summershorties or by post from Julia’s House Summer Shorties, Barclays House, 1 Wimborne Road, Poole, BH15 2BB. There is no entry fee but anyone taking part in the competition can make a donation to help Julia’s House continue to be there for local children and families during the coronavirus crisis and beyond.

The closing date is Friday 31 July 2020. Full entry details and terms and conditions are available on the Julia’s House website or by written request.