Author of Tomorrow Award 2026: Age Categories, Prizes & How to Enter
The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation is thrilled to announce the Author of Tomorrow Award 2026, an annual competition designed to discover and nurture the next generation of adventure writers. This award encourages young people around the world to craft imaginative, thrilling stories in English, giving them a platform to showcase their creativity while helping to improve global literacy.
Stories entered are written by young people, for young people, and judged by a panel of young readers, giving entrants the chance to engage with an audience of their peers and gain recognition for their storytelling talent.
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CHECK OUT THIS WRITING COMPETITION
🌟 Age Categories & Prizes
The Author of Tomorrow Award is divided into three age categories, each with its own word count range and prizes:
The Author of Tomorrow Award recognises young adventure writers and rewards their creativity with age-appropriate prizes. The competition is divided into three age groups, each with a specific word count range and prize structure.
Author of Tomorrow Award 2026: Age Categories and Prizes:
11 & Under
Word Count: Up to 500 words
Prize: £100 cash
School Book Tokens: £150
This category is perfect for younger writers who are just starting to explore storytelling and want to share their adventurous ideas in a short, engaging format.
12–15 Years
Word Count: 1,000–2,000 words
Prize: £250 cash
School Book Tokens: £150
For early teens, this category allows for more developed stories, encouraging creativity, structure, and imaginative adventures that can captivate readers.
16–21 Years
Word Count: 1,500–3,000 words
Prize: £1,000 cash
The oldest age category gives young adult writers the opportunity to craft longer, more complex stories. This is a chance to demonstrate advanced narrative skills and showcase your ability to develop characters, plot, and adventurous worlds.
Each age group is carefully designed to ensure the competition is accessible, fair, and rewarding, giving young writers the chance to develop their skills while being recognised for their creativity.
In addition, ten shortlisted stories will be digitally published on Booksmart, an app and online library run by the global literacy charity Worldreader. Each story will be available online for at least one year, allowing readers anywhere in the world with internet access to enjoy your adventure.
CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION
📅 Submission Timeline
Open: January 9, 2026
Close: April 19, 2026, 23:59 BST
Entrants must submit their story in the age category corresponding to their age on the date of submission.
📝 What the Award Looks For
The Author of Tomorrow Award seeks adventure stories that:
• Take the reader on exciting journeys through imaginative or realistic worlds.
• Introduce inspiring characters who demonstrate courage, resilience, or ingenuity
• Are engaging and readable, keeping peers hooked from start to finish
• Encourage creativity and originality, helping young writers explore their voice and storytelling skills
This is an opportunity to dare, dream, and write, building the skills and confidence to become tomorrow’s great adventure authors.
📌 How to Enter
STEP 1: Write a short adventure story in English, staying within your age category’s word limit.
STEP 2: Check the award Terms & Conditions before submitting.
STEP 4: Submit your story online before April 19, 2026, 23:59 BST.
If you work with young people, you can also download posters and social media graphics to help promote the competition in classrooms, libraries, or youth groups.
APPLY HERE
🌍 Why Enter?
The Author of Tomorrow Award is more than a competition — it is a launchpad for young creative talent, offering:
• Recognition for emerging writers
• Opportunities to be digitally published and read by peers worldwide
• Encouragement to develop storytelling skills and build confidence in writing
• A chance to inspire and entertain young readers with your adventure
This annual programme continues the Foundation’s mission of nurturing adventure writers of the future, ensuring that the spirit of storytelling thrives across generations.
✨ Dare to write, dream big, and let your story reach the world.
APPLY HERE
📣 Spread the Word
Don’t keep this opportunity to yourself.
Tag a writer, share with friends, and let others know.
Your story could be the one that inspires a new beginning—for you and for someone else.
Write. Inspire. Win.
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