SHOW CASES
This space on my website is for young, budding writers. You may have won a competition to show your work here, you may have been gifted the opportunity, or you may have just sent me something that I just can't help but share. Whatever the reason I hope you enjoy reading and sharing each others stories, poems and ideas. If you want to take part in the Show Cases, please contact me through an adult email address. Thank you.
Maybe The French Aren't So Bad After All
A 500 word story by Soraya Enayatollah (Y7)
For my besties: India Macalla-Leacy and Jamie Cai for giving me the idea in the first place.
This is in no way historically accurate.
Part one
It’s been two months since the War started. It hasn’t been too different for me, though - I was always hidden away. My existence denied. My family ashamed of me.
My legs don’t work. I don’t know why, I don’t know anything about it. All I know is that it was enough for my father to decide I didn’t deserve recognition. That my disability made me unworthy.
Nobody can see past the fact that I am unable to walk. Instead, the few that are trusted to keep the secret of my existence look down on me. They can’t see the real me. All they see is a disability.
On the other hand, my twin sister Albina has it all. Just because I need a wheelchair, Albina gets all of the attention and gifts, and I get locked away and treated like dirt. It’s not fair.
I am still brought up and tutored - but in secret. My parents have taught me to look down on France, which is the only time I feel like I have power. For once, I am the one looking down on the others. I know I shouldn't enjoy it, but I do. France is who we are at war with. Napoleon III declared war on us and father has gone to the army. I have been more neglected than ever now that mother is tending to the wounded. I have to rely on Albina to smuggle me food and drink. She's not the best company, she is cold and always stays away if she can help it. I often dream of a life, without a disability, free to walk and run. A normal life where nobody was ashamed of me. What a wonderful life that would be...of course all I can do is dream.
Part two
Lately, I have been hearing strange noises. I’m not sure what they are... but now that I listen to it carefully, it sounds like... but it couldn’t be... a person?
I am wheeling myself over to the floor-length curtains from which the sounds seem to come from: they are caked in dust after years of neglect. I fling them open, coughing in the cloud of dust that ensues. As it clears, I see the beginning of a figure. I soon realise it’s a boy... what’s he doing in my room?! I fumble for the metal tray that my lunch had been on, raising it high above my head.
“ Wait!” He yells, his hands covering his head. I lower the tray, waiting for the intruder’s explanation. He gabbles that he meant no harm, he was a refugee from France who had fled only to find himself lost. He snuck in yesterday for shelter, and he was truly sorry. He stuck out his hand. “At least I get to meet you. It’s a pleasure.” He finishes, as if nervous for my approval.
“ You’re not bothered by...” I motion to my wheelchair.
"No."
I smile.
Maybe the French aren't so bad after all.
A 500 word story by Soraya Enayatollah (Y7)
For my besties: India Macalla-Leacy and Jamie Cai for giving me the idea in the first place.
This is in no way historically accurate.
Part one
It’s been two months since the War started. It hasn’t been too different for me, though - I was always hidden away. My existence denied. My family ashamed of me.
My legs don’t work. I don’t know why, I don’t know anything about it. All I know is that it was enough for my father to decide I didn’t deserve recognition. That my disability made me unworthy.
Nobody can see past the fact that I am unable to walk. Instead, the few that are trusted to keep the secret of my existence look down on me. They can’t see the real me. All they see is a disability.
On the other hand, my twin sister Albina has it all. Just because I need a wheelchair, Albina gets all of the attention and gifts, and I get locked away and treated like dirt. It’s not fair.
I am still brought up and tutored - but in secret. My parents have taught me to look down on France, which is the only time I feel like I have power. For once, I am the one looking down on the others. I know I shouldn't enjoy it, but I do. France is who we are at war with. Napoleon III declared war on us and father has gone to the army. I have been more neglected than ever now that mother is tending to the wounded. I have to rely on Albina to smuggle me food and drink. She's not the best company, she is cold and always stays away if she can help it. I often dream of a life, without a disability, free to walk and run. A normal life where nobody was ashamed of me. What a wonderful life that would be...of course all I can do is dream.
Part two
Lately, I have been hearing strange noises. I’m not sure what they are... but now that I listen to it carefully, it sounds like... but it couldn’t be... a person?
I am wheeling myself over to the floor-length curtains from which the sounds seem to come from: they are caked in dust after years of neglect. I fling them open, coughing in the cloud of dust that ensues. As it clears, I see the beginning of a figure. I soon realise it’s a boy... what’s he doing in my room?! I fumble for the metal tray that my lunch had been on, raising it high above my head.
“ Wait!” He yells, his hands covering his head. I lower the tray, waiting for the intruder’s explanation. He gabbles that he meant no harm, he was a refugee from France who had fled only to find himself lost. He snuck in yesterday for shelter, and he was truly sorry. He stuck out his hand. “At least I get to meet you. It’s a pleasure.” He finishes, as if nervous for my approval.
“ You’re not bothered by...” I motion to my wheelchair.
"No."
I smile.
Maybe the French aren't so bad after all.
COMPETITIONS: NO COMPETITIONS ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING AT THE MOMENT, BUT READ ON FOR PREVIOUS COMPETITIONS AND PRIZES.
******NEWS FLASH: I have now completed my work as one of the BBC 500 Words Judges******
To find out more about the famous competition please click here: BBC 500 Words
COMPETITION SPECIALS FOR CAMBRIDGE EVENT
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The second 'Meet Your Local Children's Author' Event was held on Saturday 7 September 2019.
The raffle prizes were amazing. Here is what I contributed: 1. Full professional critique of a story of up to 2,000 words 2. Publication of a complete story of up to 500 words on my website page. 3. Book bundle - all three of my books signed (including a limited first edition copy of Thirteenth Wish) with a signed EATS poster and a key ring of Jarred Dreams cover. The event was completely FREE to attend and lots of fun. Helen Moss and I delivered an: Out of This World Adventure Story Writing Workshop: The group created Embers Marshmallow and her quest to find Planet Battenberg. There are chances to gain raffle tickets from completing quizzes, and taking part in workshops. There was also a giant space-related mural created on the day, lots of story-time readings and ongoing craft activities. It is a popular event because it is open to children of all ages and the library is very central and easy to find. |
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As you can see from the poster, of the first event and the photo of us all dressed up as characters from our books, loads of authors and illustrators come along. They all donate amazing prizes in aid of Cambridgeshire Libraries. If you missed the event, and would like to come, watch this space for the next one (likely to be in February 2020) 
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CORAM VOICE 2019 FOR BUDDING YOUNG WRITERS
This is not one of my competitions, but instead Coram Voice has asked me to help shortlist entries. I am also donating books as prizes.
The competition is open to any children who are living, or have ever lived in care. Here is the information on their website:
If you are a child or young person up to 25 years old and have experience of the care system, our annual creative writing competition is for you. It's designed to promote a positive image by showcasing young people’s creativity and improving understanding of their experiences. The theme for 2019's competition is 'Growing up' and you could win up to £100 in shopping vouchers. Shortlisted entries are also showcased on a special app featuring writing from children in care.
For more information, including how to enter please visit their website: Coram Voice 2019
It is completely FREE to enter, so if you're eligible why not give it a go? Entering writing competitions is an excellent way to learn new skills, develop the craft and to help boost your confidence as a writer. Good luck!
The competition is open to any children who are living, or have ever lived in care. Here is the information on their website:
If you are a child or young person up to 25 years old and have experience of the care system, our annual creative writing competition is for you. It's designed to promote a positive image by showcasing young people’s creativity and improving understanding of their experiences. The theme for 2019's competition is 'Growing up' and you could win up to £100 in shopping vouchers. Shortlisted entries are also showcased on a special app featuring writing from children in care.
For more information, including how to enter please visit their website: Coram Voice 2019
It is completely FREE to enter, so if you're eligible why not give it a go? Entering writing competitions is an excellent way to learn new skills, develop the craft and to help boost your confidence as a writer. Good luck!
CELEBRATION OF WINNERS AT THIRTEENTH WISH BOOK LAUNCH
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This is Caitlin Wheeler collecting the winning copies of Thirteenth Wish on behalf of Auj Usman who won the 'Name the Dog Competition' with 'Fuzzles'
The Wish Winners were also at the launch all wearing what they would to their own birthday party. It was a triple celebration! |
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WINNERS ANNOUNCED
For the chance to win tickets to the launch of my new book I asked for answers to the following question: If you had one wish what would it be and why.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS:
Orlaith Tait: My wish would be to save all the endangered animals and create a safe place for them where no poachers can hurt or capture them, and on this land we have cameras so we can get livestream film of nature to help people understand more about the life of animals.
Annabel Styles: My wish is that everybody who is poor had a wish including the starving people in Africa and had a chance to make a wish and to see it come true.It doesn't seem fair that some people have everything they want an some people don't have anything at all.
Louie Scott: If I would have one wish then I would wish for everyone to live happily.
Louise Pattison: If I had a wish, I would visit any scene of any book because then I could meet the characters in personal. I would also be a character myself, as people could read about me (I might appear in the chapter they were reading!)
Sofia Odetti: I wish no one was homeless.
Lex Cameron: This week I felt as if I had been crushed like a digestive biscuit that is about to be made into a cheesecake. This was because the last male white rhino died and the species will be extinct. Therefore my greatest wish is that all animals that are alive at the moment will never become extinct. If only people cared more about the environment like me they and didn’t make such selfish choices.
Amina Khatun: My 1 wish would be to talk to animals because whenever you play with your pet you dont know if they are happy or sad. Also you dont know if they feel sick or unwelll.
Isla Gardner: I would wish for a unicorn with wings which could fly me to anywhere I wanted to go. Then it would shrink down so it was small enough to live in my bedroom.
Charley Hesselink: If I could have one wish, I would wish that I could talk to animals! Then it would be easier to save endangered species and also it would be amazing to see what my dog thinks.
Marley Elvie: I wish all the battles and wars would end
Melinda Tang: I wish for a little sister
CONGRATULATIONS TO AUJ USMAN FOR WINNING THE NAME THE DOG COMPETITION WITH 'FUZZLES'
This is Auj Usman, a Y7 student at St Albans Girls School (known as STAGS) having her winning photograph taken with me outside her school.
Auj, entered and won the Name The Dog Competition that I recently ran with her fantastic suggestion of Fuzzles.
The wire-haired Jack Russell, pictured below, is a character in the book I am currently writing, entitled Thirteenth Wish.
I had been calling the dog Scruffy, but I knew the name didn't quite fit. It clashed with his owner's name, Sally (too much alliteration) and it didn't feel right either.
I ran the competition not sure how many entries I would get, or even if I would be able to use any of the suggested names. I was delighted I had an excellent response with lots of names to pick from.
Auj, entered and won the Name The Dog Competition that I recently ran with her fantastic suggestion of Fuzzles.
The wire-haired Jack Russell, pictured below, is a character in the book I am currently writing, entitled Thirteenth Wish.
I had been calling the dog Scruffy, but I knew the name didn't quite fit. It clashed with his owner's name, Sally (too much alliteration) and it didn't feel right either.
I ran the competition not sure how many entries I would get, or even if I would be able to use any of the suggested names. I was delighted I had an excellent response with lots of names to pick from.
The winning name of Fuzzles, chosen by Auj, was announced on 29 April, at the book launch for my new book, EATS.
I picked the name because it is fun and cheeky, yet comforting, just like the dog. I also liked that the name can be shortened and changed which will be useful in the book.
When asked how she thought of the name Auj said, "It just popped into my head!"
Scruffy will now become Fuzzles and will officially become part of the book. In addition, Auj will receive a personalised, pre-published copy of the book to keep. After reading her copy, what she thinks of the book will also be quoted, with her name on the back cover.
Thank you to everyone who took part. I enjoyed receiving the entries, especially when you added reasons of why you thought I should pick the name you'd chosen. .
Here are some of the names I received - can you spot yours? Wishbone, Fergus, Jasper, Buddy, Reggie, Popcorn, Lucky, Rusty, Oliver, Ollie, Dudley, Timmy, Claud, Dizzy, Buster, Dreamcatcher, Catcher, Miracle, Hero, Basil, Herby, Harvey, Dirty, Flexy, Duke, Boris, Tumble, Tufty, Cooper, Chester, Russell, Bristle, Crumpet, Chip, Freddie, Fred, Kye, Bentley, Rocky, Roary, Charlie, Destiny, Jake, Teddy, Ted, Warrior, Mr Perkins, Orlando, Wilfred, Clover, Rosie, Ebony, Molly, Monty, Florence, Rumplefus, Russel, Timothy, Gold, Eddie, Mischief, Fuzzles, Gem, Hope, Bailey, Max, Charlie, Bella, Lucy, Molly, Daisy, Chloe, Lola, Toby, Sam, Oscar, Lilly, Emma, Ruby, Annie, Zoe, Sadie, Ketchup, Smudge, David, Crisp, Rascal.
I loved running this competition. If you have any new ideas for competitions I am listening. Contact Me.
I picked the name because it is fun and cheeky, yet comforting, just like the dog. I also liked that the name can be shortened and changed which will be useful in the book.
When asked how she thought of the name Auj said, "It just popped into my head!"
Scruffy will now become Fuzzles and will officially become part of the book. In addition, Auj will receive a personalised, pre-published copy of the book to keep. After reading her copy, what she thinks of the book will also be quoted, with her name on the back cover.
Thank you to everyone who took part. I enjoyed receiving the entries, especially when you added reasons of why you thought I should pick the name you'd chosen. .
Here are some of the names I received - can you spot yours? Wishbone, Fergus, Jasper, Buddy, Reggie, Popcorn, Lucky, Rusty, Oliver, Ollie, Dudley, Timmy, Claud, Dizzy, Buster, Dreamcatcher, Catcher, Miracle, Hero, Basil, Herby, Harvey, Dirty, Flexy, Duke, Boris, Tumble, Tufty, Cooper, Chester, Russell, Bristle, Crumpet, Chip, Freddie, Fred, Kye, Bentley, Rocky, Roary, Charlie, Destiny, Jake, Teddy, Ted, Warrior, Mr Perkins, Orlando, Wilfred, Clover, Rosie, Ebony, Molly, Monty, Florence, Rumplefus, Russel, Timothy, Gold, Eddie, Mischief, Fuzzles, Gem, Hope, Bailey, Max, Charlie, Bella, Lucy, Molly, Daisy, Chloe, Lola, Toby, Sam, Oscar, Lilly, Emma, Ruby, Annie, Zoe, Sadie, Ketchup, Smudge, David, Crisp, Rascal.
I loved running this competition. If you have any new ideas for competitions I am listening. Contact Me.
Reviews
If you've written, or would like to write a review for any of my books then I would love to read it. Please send it to me via email, by clicking here: Send Book Review You win the chance to see your review on my website and you can always attach a photo too if you'd like. I promise to do my best to post it up onto my blog page for others to read as soon as possible.
Remember you can always review on Goodreads and Amazon too. Make sure you star rate the book. Reviewing is an excellent way to tell others about the book. Also...I'm hoping that someone will post a review to Mango Bubbles Books. THANK YOU!
Remember you can always review on Goodreads and Amazon too. Make sure you star rate the book. Reviewing is an excellent way to tell others about the book. Also...I'm hoping that someone will post a review to Mango Bubbles Books. THANK YOU!
National Competitions
If you are a young, aspiring writer there are lots of competitions in the UK that you might want to enter for FREE (I would advise to be wary of competitions that ask for an entry fee)
The most famous is the BBC 500 words, which has lots of publicity and usually opens for entries during January. You need to be aged 13 or under to enter and submit a story of 500 words. If you are interested in finding out more click here: 500 words. You may have already seen above that I am one of the judges for this competition (very exciting).
There are lots of others though. The Wicked Young Writers Award is great. There are different age categories, from age 5 right up until 25, you can write fiction or non-fiction, the entry is still short (750 words) and the prizes are...well...wicked! There is even the opportunity to be self-published, which would be amazing. If you want to find out more click here: Wicked Young Writers Award
It closes for entries at the end of March every year.
For budding poets, you might want to encourage your school to register for Poetry By Heart.
Some individual children's writers often run their own competitions so it is always worth looking up some of your favourite authors to see what they are offering or what competitions they are involved in. There are too many to list here but just to give you an example take a look at Jacqueline Wilson. Her website is all singing and dancing!
That's just a few to get you started, but The National Literacy Trust is always a good place to look. They run competitions and can point young writers in the right direction to other current competitions that are running. It is also the organisation that shortlisted Jarred Dreams in 2015 (before it was published) in the New Author Competition, so be warned, I am probably quite biased. Take a look at their competition details by clicking here: The National Literacy Trust Competitions
Good Luck!
The most famous is the BBC 500 words, which has lots of publicity and usually opens for entries during January. You need to be aged 13 or under to enter and submit a story of 500 words. If you are interested in finding out more click here: 500 words. You may have already seen above that I am one of the judges for this competition (very exciting).
There are lots of others though. The Wicked Young Writers Award is great. There are different age categories, from age 5 right up until 25, you can write fiction or non-fiction, the entry is still short (750 words) and the prizes are...well...wicked! There is even the opportunity to be self-published, which would be amazing. If you want to find out more click here: Wicked Young Writers Award
It closes for entries at the end of March every year.
For budding poets, you might want to encourage your school to register for Poetry By Heart.
Some individual children's writers often run their own competitions so it is always worth looking up some of your favourite authors to see what they are offering or what competitions they are involved in. There are too many to list here but just to give you an example take a look at Jacqueline Wilson. Her website is all singing and dancing!
That's just a few to get you started, but The National Literacy Trust is always a good place to look. They run competitions and can point young writers in the right direction to other current competitions that are running. It is also the organisation that shortlisted Jarred Dreams in 2015 (before it was published) in the New Author Competition, so be warned, I am probably quite biased. Take a look at their competition details by clicking here: The National Literacy Trust Competitions
Good Luck!
Final Note
For those of you disappointed that my Dream Trail competition wasn't able to go ahead; I do hope you managed to catch the amazing BFG dream trail in London during 2016 summer. It was splendiferous! Below are some of my pictures of the jars I saw which really doesn't do them any justice.
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