Northern Beaches Council is calling on students to unleash their imagination and write an original story including the theme words ‘Upside Down’ for the Council libraries’ annual Young Writers’ Competition.

Council’s General Manager Customer and Corporate, Helen Lever, said last year the competition attracted over 400 entries and every year the judges find the standard gets better and better.

“For most writers, all it takes to unleash their imagination and allow a story to grow is an idea and a deadline.

“A number of the previous winning entries were written by students who had been encouraged by wonderful teachers and librarians in our local schools. I would be delighted to see even more students and schools involved in the competition this year,” Ms Lever said.

Students up to and including those in Year 12 are invited to enter the Young Writers’ Competition. Entries will be judged according to characterisation, originality, plot and use of language.

Last year’s winner in her age category, Year 8 Oxford Falls Grammar student Eleanor Henly, entered the competition because she liked reading stories.

“It was fun to enter the competition to see if I might win so other people would read my story, and they have!  This competition was good because it gave me a subject to think about, which is more fun than just trying to think about what to write all by myself,” Eleanor said.

Six age categories will be presented with an award at a prestigious ceremony in September and have their stories published in an eBook to be included in the collections of Northern Beaches Council Library and the National Library of Australia.

Entry forms with competition details are available online and in branches of Northern Beaches Council Library. Entries close on Wednesday, 2 August.

Photo Opportunity: A photo with Eleanor can be arranged on request