In collaboration between the University of Wolverhampton’s publishing house, Ripple Bed Press, the Wolverhampton Literature Festival and the City of Wolverhampton Libraries, we’re excited to launch the inaugural Young Person’s Writing Award.

Theme: Reading Places

Submissions accepted from 6th February until 30th April 2026

If you’re between the ages of 11 and 18, the competition is open to you. We’re looking for previously unpublished writing on the theme of Reading Places. We welcome writing in any genre and form, and you can address the theme in any creative way you feel.

Poetry submissions should be no longer than 40 lines, excluding titles.

Fiction and non-fiction prose submissions should be between 250-500 words.

All submissions should be sent in a Word Document, using 12point Times New Roman Font, and include the following personal details: Name, Age, Email Address, Postal Address.

All competition entries and enquires should be sent to ripplebedpress@gmail.com

Deadline for entries is midnight on 30th April 2026

We want you to get as creative as possible. Think about writing that explores landscape, important places, wayfinding or regional identity. Perhaps you’ll imagine the future of a town, city or the Earth itself. Does your home town deserve a sonnet, ode or ballad?

Have you got a great idea for a character on a quest, adventure or pilgrimage? What new essayists and journalists are out there ready for us to discover?

Winning writers will be published in the Reading Places Anthology with Ripple Bed Press, invited to read their work at the launch event, and will receive [books/vouchers]

To support the competition and the region’s creative voices, Lecturers, Dr Kerry Hadley-Pryce and Dr R. M. Francis are offering schools, sixth forms and colleges writing workshops during the submissions period. Simply email ripplebedpress@gmail.com to enquire and arrange.