Young aspiring writers can now enter 2011’s Wicked Young Writers’ Award which opened today for applications from anyone aged five to 25 years old with a passion for creative writing.
Spearheaded by the award-winning children’s novelist Michael Morpurgo (War Horse, Private Peaceful), the award launched last year inspired by the literary roots of the musical Wicked, having been adapted from Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name.
The award is separated into five categories according to age and is open to young people from across the UK and Northern Ireland. Applicants can submit a story, poem or drama on any subject or theme of their choosing.
Wicked’s Executive Producer Michael McCabe, who will be assisting the judging process, said: “Following the huge success of 2010’s inaugural year, it is with great pride that we are again able to use the production’s important messages of choices, values and consequences to help enhance young peoples’ engagement with creative writing.”
Michael Morpurgo explained what he and the other judges will be looking for, saying: “We had thousands of entries last year with some wonderful and original writing. Again, my fellow judges and I will be looking for stories and poems that are written from the heart and passionately felt, where young people have written for themselves to develop their own style and voice. Here’s hoping for another amazing year!”
Applicants have until 31 July to submit their pieces which must be no longer than 750 words. The top 20 entries from each category will be invited to a winners’ showcase in the autumn at the Apollo Victoria theatre, home of the musical since it opened in London in 2006.
The most outstanding applicant from each category will then be chosen to win an exclusive Wicked experience including tickets for them and their family to see the show and the opportunity to meet the cast after the performance.
For more details and to submit an application visit www.wickedyoungwriters.com
CM