CHILDREN’S author Joyce Dunbar announced as judge in creative writing competition as deadline extended

Children and young people between the ages of six and 18 are being given a bit longer to get their entries in for a creative writing competition organised by Redwings and the University of East Anglia (UEA).

Youngsters are being challenged to write a story or poem about an animal (real or mythical) that has an extraordinary ability, for a chance to win some fantastic prizes. The deadline for entries has been extended to Monday 27th January.

And excitingly, a new judge is now in place – esteemed children’s author Joyce Dunbar!

The author of over 80 books, including the Mouse and Mole series, will choose the winners of the two age categories, after the entries are shortlisted by a small team from the charity and university publishing project.

Charlotte McMorran-Stock, Education and Youth Publications Officer at Redwings, said: “We are very excited that Joyce Dunbar has agreed to decide the final winners, and we can’t wait to start reading through everyone’s entries.

“This is the second time we’re run a competition of this type alongside our friends at the UEA Publishing Project, and it is inspired once again by Anna Sewell’s beloved book  Black Beauty, as well as the amazing selection of children’s books being revived by the UEA’s Professor Thomas Ruys Smith and Dr Hilary Emmett.

“The story of Black Beauty is told through the eyes of a horse, named Beauty, and that got us thinking, what if other animals could talk? What if they didn’t talk but had another extraordinary ability? What adventures have they had?

“One hundred and sixty children and young people entered last year’s competition and there were some extraordinarily moving and heartbreaking pieces of writing. We hope this brief will inspire more young writers to delve deep into their imaginations.”

Prizes include book bundles, a Le Mieux horse toy and a selection of Redwings goodies including a sponsorship of Adoption Star Maya, the charity’s very own Beauty-lookalike.

To enter, email the typed-up entry of no more than 500 words if aged six to 12, and no more than 750 words if aged 13 to 18, to [email protected], including the author’s name, age and contact information for their parent or guardian. Full prize details are below:

Ages six to 12 (word limit 500 words)

First Prize
•    Book bundle (including Black Beauty and a selection from the UEA Publishing Project)
•    Sponsorship of Adoption Star Maya for a year
•    An amazing Le Mieux horse toy 
•    A selection of Redwings goodies

Second prize
•    Book bundle (including Black Beauty and a selection from the UEA Publishing Project)
•    An amazing Le Mieux horse toy 
•    A selection of Redwings goodies

Third prize
•   An amazing Le Mieux horse toy

Ages 13 to18 (word limit 750 words)

First Prize
•    Book bundle (including Black Beauty and a selection from the UEA Publishing Project)
•    Sponsorship of Adoption Star Maya Adoption for a year
•    Merchandise from the UEA 
•    A selection of Redwings goodies

Second prize
•    Book bundle (including Black Beauty and a selection from the UEA Publishing Project)
•    Merchandise from the UEA 
•    A selection of Redwings goodies

Third prize
•    A selection of Redwings goodies

ENDS

For further assistance, please contact Leanne Plumtree, Redwings Senior Press Officer, on 07711 489623/07825 148879 or email [email protected]

More about Redwings: A registered charity, Redwings Horse Sanctuary was established in 1984 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It has grown to be one of the largest horse welfare charities in the UK, working to save horses, ponies, donkeys and mules whose future would otherwise be bleak. Redwings is currently responsible for over 2,000 rescued horses and donkeys across the UK, including 700 living out on permanent loan in Guardian homes.

To find out more, visit www.redwings.org.uk, or follow Redwings on Facebook (/RedwingsHorseSanctuary), Twitter (@RedwingsHS), Instagram (redwingsuk) and TikTok (redwingshorsesanctuary).

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