THE NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter Book Prize winners
Following last month’s Picture Book Prize announcement, Amy Sparkes reveals the winning entries in the Chapter Book category of the Children’s Book Prize
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered the Writing Magazine Children’s Book Prize 2022. In the Chapter Book category, we had 72 entries, with all kinds of genres being represented, including fantasy, adventure, humour, spy, spooky, contemporary and animals. Having such a wide variety of entries always makes it difficult to judge but we had to make decisions. Special congratulations to everyone who made the longlist and the shortlist. Here is more information about our winning three entries, with the opening of their first chapters:
THIRD PLACE: The Case of the Stolen Langdon Diamond: A Dolly Rake Mystery by Fiona Harding
Chapter 1
Dolly carefully peered at the audience through the heavy red velvet curtains. This was her favourite moment, just before the performance was about to start. She could almost touch the excitement and anticipation of the smart ladies and gentlemen settling down in their plush seats waiting for the actors and actresses to appear. The bright lights picked out startling jewels and expectant faces, beaded dresses and shining pocket watches. She sighed.
“Pssst, Dolly, stop gawping. Quick, the side of my costume has come undone.”
Dolly was pulled back from her imaginings to see Ruby La Mer, leading lady of the West End, beckoning her into the wings.
“I have to be in position in five minutes, hurry!” hissed Ruby. Digging into her little cloth bag that she always kept for emergencies, Dolly pulled out a needle and thread.
“Hold still Miss Ruby, this won’t take me two ticks. Careful, I’ll stab you with the needle if you keeps moving,” said Dolly, sticking her tongue out as she concentrated.
Biting off the end of the thread, Dolly stood up.
“All done, Miss,” said Dolly, “break a leg.”
“Thanks Dolly. Although I hope I don’t!” said Ruby rushing onto the stage to take her place on the chaise long. She adjusted her costume. Touched her hair for the 100th time to make sure it was in place. It always was. Turning to face the back of the curtains, Ruby lifted her chin and smiled. She was ready.
Even though Dolly had seen every show so far, it still felt magical when the curtains swung up and back. The performance had started.
Judges’ comments: ‘Well-plotted and set in an intriguing and colourful world.’ How long have you been writing for?
For about seven years. Before that I was in marketing and PR so I have always been writing in some form. My passion for writing for children came after having my own and using the overactive imagination I have always had in a positive way!
What made you decide to give the competition a go?
I was shortlisted for the Picture Book Prize in 2019 but this year I wanted a different challenge as I’ve written lots of picture books. I went on Amy’s chapter book course (see www.storygodmother.co.uk) and was encouraged to try this idea that I’d had for a while.
What was your inspiration?
I love the 1920s and I used to work in a theatre so combining the two and writing about a world I knew well felt really natural. I could also justify watching loads of Agatha Christie programmes and read mystery novels because it was all research!
How did you write it?
I planned each chapter out, so that I knew what needed to happen by the end of each one. It wasn’t a lot of detail but kept my writing on track. Then I set myself the task of writing a chapter a day. I asked a few people to read it, including a good writer friend, my daughter and one of her friends.
Top tips for writers entering in 2023?
Don’t give up! No effort is wasted, every bit of writing is learning and leading you forward. Find a supportive critique group, they will support you when it’s hard and celebrate your success. Read as much children’s literature as you can, find out what children talk about, what they are interested in and want to read. Good luck!
Twitter @FionaHarding8
SECOND PLACE: My Best Friend is a Dragon by Sim Smailes
Chapter 1: Things That Go Bump in the Night
“You’ve burnt the toast again, Jago. How many times do I have to tell you to be careful!”
Jago is probably my best friend, and he’s a dragon. Yes, that’s right, a dragon. As for me,
I’m not a dragon. I used to be just a normal kid growing up in a not-very-exciting corner of the world, but all that changed when I met Jago. Jago changed everything. #
It all started one cloudless night last year. It was one of those sticky, humid nights when you just can’t get to sleep. I was lying in my bed when suddenly I heard this strange bumping noise coming from somewhere close by. My bedroom is on the ground floor of our house and so I’m always a bit worried about burglars sneaking in through the window, but now I had good reason to be scared.
I looked around nervously but it was too dark to see anything very clearly, so I reached over to my bedside table to feel for my Batman torch. I fumbled around until I found it and then I shone the beam quickly around the room. Nothing. Well nothing except a big bat silhouette in the middle of the beam, but that was no surprise. A few seconds later I heard it again.
Judges’ comments: ‘Fun, imaginative and a fresh take on Arthurian legends’.
How long have you been writing for?
I have been writing poetry and short stories as a hobby for about twenty years now. More recently, I have concentrated on picture book texts and I enjoy entering the annual Writing Magazine Picture Book Prize competition.
What made you decide to give the competition a go?
I have always enjoyed taking part in writing competitions and previous successes have helped to spur me on. There is a definite excitement to be had when you have submitted an entry for a competition and are convinced that you are in with a chance of winning. Usually this does not happen, sadly, but to be long listed or shortlisted gives you a real sense of achievement and makes you believe that your work is good enough to share with others. I entered the Chapter Book Prize competition with a story that I wrote a few years ago. I had originally written it to see if I could write in this genre. When I looked at it again I could see that it needed some serious tweaking and so I came up with a redraft that I was much happier with and sent it in to the competition.
What was your inspiration?
This is very much a story that takes me back to my childhood, when, in a school assembly, I was invited to read a story that I had written about a reluctant dragon. That was the first time I realised that I could write stories that could entertain others. The dragon in My
Best Friend is a Dragon is very different. His problem is that he can no longer breathe fire and he needs to recruit somebody to help him get it back. The story has strong links to the Arthurian legend but it is set in modern times. I enjoyed writing a story where the two main characters were able to help each other in very different ways.
How did you write it?
The original story was written over the course of several weeks. The first draft needed lots of revision and so I kept working on the text until I was happy with it. I then left it to gather dust for several years. When I came back to it, specifically to enter this competition, I made more changes, including the title.
Top tips for writers entering in 2023?
If you have already written and submitted a chapter book text without success, do not lose heart. It may well be a great story in the making but just needs a bit more time to rest before you revisit it and send it in.
The Writing Magazine Children’s Book Prize will be running again in 2023! Submission window: 1 September – 31 October. More information will be available nearer the time.
FIRST PLACE: The Crooks Of Crookington Square by Victoria Barry
High above Crookington Square bright and white stars played cops and robbers with the moon, marshmallow clouds flumped in the night sky and an icy wind tiptoed across the caravan park, snatching the autumn leaves away. Cat Crook dumped the SWAG bag into the back of the crookmobile next to Bandit. “Oh buddy, what am I going to do?” she asked, wriggling her fingers into her fingerless gloves and tucking her chin into her stripy scarf.
It was her eighth birthday, but unlike the other children of Crookington
Square, who celebrated their birthdays with banners, balloons and cake, (and who lived in cosy cottages with warm log fires and toasty beds), Cat Crook was celebrating by breaking into Mr
Poop’s Popcorn Factory and stealing his moneybox.
“Do you think I should tell them I don’t want to be a crook?”
Bandit barked, cocking his head to one side. “I guess you’re right. Oh Bandit, what a pickle.”
Bandit bounced onto all fours and sniffed her pocket.
“I don’t have a pickle; I’m in a pickle!” Cat Crook’s eyes drifted towards the caravan. Propped up on a stack of red bricks, the caravan wasn’t too big, the caravan wasn’t too small, the caravan was the right size of crookedness for them all. Suddenly, the door flung wide open.
Judges’ comments: ‘Quirky, hilarious and fun.’
How long have you been writing for?
I have been writing ever since my year 4 primary school teacher introduced me to the wonderful world of Roald Dahl, 30+ years ago. I became editor of the school magazine and at 16 I had my first short story published in Just Seventeen magazine. After taking time out to raise my family, in 2015, I enrolled as a mature student to study English Lit and Creative Writing. I fell in love with children’s literature and crafted my voice as a children’s writer.
What made you decide to give the competition a go?
In May 2022, I completed the Curtis Brown Creative Writing for Children and YA Course. I found the course beneficial. However, after the course finished, I suddenly felt lonely, selfdoubt crept in and every writer’s best friend, Imposter Syndrome, arrived for the summer. I decided to take time out… but The Crooks of Crookington Square would not let me go. When I saw this competition running again, I knew it would provide the perfect opportunity to overcome self-doubt and refocus. And the possibility of having my work read by three incredible judges was too good an opportunity to miss.
What was your inspiration?
My family and children were, and continue to be, my inspiration. My own childhood was filled with caravan holidays, and although we weren’t crooked crooks (apart from the dog), there were plenty of funny moments. I’m also inspired by reading a range of children’s books. Whenever I’m stuck, I always find the answer in a book.
How did you write it?
The Crooks of Crookington Square was originally handwritten as a middlegrade novel in my allotment during the first lockdown. However, 15,000 words in, the story lost its momentum, so I put The Crooks to one side and started something new. Twelve months on, I scrapped the original manuscript and rewrote it as a chapter book.
Top tips for writers entering in 2023?
Believe in yourself and do it! Give yourself time to edit and prepare your submission. Ask someone else to read your manuscript. Reading your work aloud is a great way of hearing how it flows. Make sure it’s the best it can be, then grab a coffee, hit send and celebrate!
Twitter @VGrace_Writer