Young authors wanted: City libraries open entries for magical writing competition

30 April 2025

The City of Cape Town’s libraries are once again hosting a writing competition for children aged between nine and 13, with the winners being announced at the Open Book Festival later this year.

In 2024, the writing competition which focused on environmental awareness, garnered entries from 100 young people.

Given its success, the City’s Library and Information Services is rolling out the competition once more.

Primary schools, book clubs and children in the age group are encouraged to participate.

Entries open on Monday 5 May and will close on Friday 8 August 2025.

The theme this year focuses on a mysterious box where the writer has to imagine that they are exploring their school or local library when they stumble upon a mysterious box hidden away between the shelves.

The box has strange symbols and emits a faint humming sound and participants have to write a short story about what happens when they open up the box.

Stories can be written in English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa.

‘Writing provides a creative outlet and also helps children to organise their thoughts and emotions. By putting pen to paper they learn a new way to communicate and use the written language to express themselves. Our children are creative with vivid imaginations and I’m sure the judges will have a hard time picking a winner. I want to encourage all our learners to participate as they could very well write their way to a future as authors,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

Criteria:

• Word limit:  Between 500 and1 500 words
• Must be an original story. No AI generated stories will be accepted
• Must be handwritten
• Can be in the form of a picture book, short/long story or graphic novel
• Drawings and illustrations are encouraged

Key Elements of the Story

• A mysterious box in a library setting
• A magical adventure
• A relatable main character or object

Tips to remember:

• Use your imagination and be creative
• Must be original works
• Points will be given for illustrations/drawings
• Most importantly - have fun

The prize-giving will take place during the Open Book Festival on 6 September 2025.

Learners or schools can submit their stories to psp.libraries@capetown.gov.za or submit their story at their nearest library.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office