The WriteStuff 2026 competition has been launched, with young writers encouraged to pen stories around the theme ‘The Letter’.
The annual literary competition for young writers across the Bailiwick is part of the wider Guernsey Literary Festival, which this year runs from 23 April to 3 May.
Now in its 12th year, the WriteStuff competition challenges entrants to create an original 300-word story centred on the theme, and is open to children and young people from Year 3 upwards.
The organisers are hopeful that schools will again encourage students to take part before the closing date on 6 March.
The entries will then be reviewed by a panel of judges which this year includes the award-winning picture book author-illustrator Jarvis, Lauren Child; the author of the much-loved Charlie and Lola series, Nathanael Lessore; the Carnegie-shortlisted, award-winning author of Steady For This, and the natural history writer, explorer and children’s writer Huw Lewis-Jones.
Festival Director, Claire Allen said she is expecting there to be a wide range of entries again this year.
“We love seeing the creativity and imagination that WriteStuff inspires every year, and this year’s theme gives young writers so much to play with,” she said. “Guernsey has such a lot of young local talent; the entries we see really do get better and better every year.
“The panel definitely has a tough job, but we have such a brilliant line-up of judges. They’re a real inspiration for the young people who enter, and their involvement makes the competition even more special.”
The annual literary competition is supported by festival partners including Aurigny, Guernsey Arts, Island Families, and U&US.
It has four categories aimed at young writers in the Primary sector (Years 3–6), Intermediate level (Years 7–9), Senior students (Years 10+), and ALN (junior and senior classes designed for writers with additional learning needs).
The WriteStuff competition, which includes prizes for the winning entrants, is sponsored by Julius Baer.
“We’re delighted to support WriteStuff for another year,” said Alexandra McInnes, Managing Director of Julius Baer Guernsey.
“Encouraging young people to express themselves and develop confidence in their own voice is incredibly important, and this competition provides such a wonderful platform for that.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how the theme is brought to life and celebrating the 2026 winners.”
Entries should be submitted directly through the website by 6 March.
There is more information available at: https://writestuff.gg
There’s also still time to enter the Guernsey International Poetry Competition, Poems on the Move , which closes for entries on Thursday 15 January.
This competition welcomes poets from across the globe and selected poems will be displayed in public spaces across Guernsey – including the airport, harbour and the island’s buses. To find out more about Poems on the Move visit https://poemsonthemove.com/