Young Authors Contest: A Free Writing Contest for Kids
The KidLore Young Authors Contest is a free writing contest for kids ages 5 to 12 in the United States. From January 5 to February 28, 2027, kids can enter a written story of up to 500 words or a drawn story of 4 to 8 pages. Three winners, one in each age group, get their story published as a real picture book.
Run by KidLore Books, Franklin, Massachusetts. Last updated October 26, 2026.
Entries open January 5, 2027. Get a reminder below so you don't miss it.
Contest at a glance
What do the winners get?
Each of the three winners gets their story published as a 12 page picture book, built with their family. Their story stays theirs.
- A published picture book. Written stories are illustrated. Drawn stories can be published with the child's own art or illustrated, whichever the family picks.
- A printed paperback copy, shipped free anywhere in the US.
- A Certificate of Authorship with the child's name.
- An optional spot on The Bookshelf under the child's pen name, if the family wants it.
How does my child enter?
- Write or draw the story. It must be the child's own idea. Younger kids can tell the story out loud while a grown-up writes down their exact words.
- Get it ready to send. Type the story into an email, or take clear photos of each page in order.
- A parent or guardian emails it to hello@kidlorebooks.com with the subject line "Young Authors Contest." Include the child's first name and last initial, age group, story title, an optional pen name, and your name.
- Watch for our reply. We confirm every entry by email.
Get a reminder when entries open
We'll send one email when the contest opens and one a week before it closes, plus occasional KidLore news you can unsubscribe from anytime.
How are stories judged?
The KidLore Books Team reads every entry. Spelling, handwriting, and drawing skill never count against anyone. We look for:
- Imagination. A fresh idea, a fun character, or a surprising world.
- A real story. A beginning, a problem in the middle, and an ending.
- The child's own voice. It should sound like the kid who wrote it.
Need a story idea?
Try the free Would You Rather Story Game, which builds a story plan from seven silly questions, or plan a hero, a problem, and an ending with the free Start Your Book planner.
Common questions
Who can enter the KidLore Young Authors Contest?
Kids ages 5 to 12 who live in the United States. A parent or guardian sends the entry by email, and each child can enter one story.
Is the contest free?
Yes. It is free to enter and no purchase is needed. Buying a KidLore book does not change anyone's chance of winning.
Can my child tell the story out loud instead of writing it?
Yes. A grown-up can write down the child's exact words. The idea and the words must be the child's own.
Can my child enter a drawn story?
Yes. A drawn story of 4 to 8 pages counts as an entry. Send clear photos of each page in order, with any words the child wants on each page.
What do the winners get?
Each of the three winners gets their story published as a 12 page picture book, a printed paperback shipped free in the US, a Certificate of Authorship, and an optional spot on The Bookshelf under a pen name.
When are the winners announced?
Winners are emailed by March 12, 2027 and announced by March 15, 2027, using only a pen name or a first name and last initial.
How long can a contest story be?
A written story can be up to 500 words, which is about one to two typed pages. A drawn story can be 4 to 8 pages. Short stories are welcome; a clear beginning, middle, and end matters more than length.
Is the contest only for kids in Massachusetts?
No. KidLore Books is based in Franklin, Massachusetts, but the contest is open to kids ages 5 to 12 anywhere in the 50 United States and Washington, DC.
What happens to my child's story after the contest?
The story always belongs to your family. Winning stories become published picture books with your approval on every page. Entries that don't win are deleted within 30 days after winners are announced.
Who runs the KidLore Young Authors Contest?
KidLore Books, a Franklin, Massachusetts company that turns kids' own stories into published picture books under pen names. The KidLore Books Team reads and judges every entry.
Official rules
Read the official contest rules
- Sponsor. KidLore Books, a brand of BenchmarkGoods LLC, 430 Franklin Village Dr #304, Franklin, MA 02038.
- Who can enter. Children ages 5 to 12 as of February 28, 2027 who live in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Every entry must be submitted by the child's parent or legal guardian, age 18 or older. Children in the household of a KidLore Books owner are not eligible.
- Entry period. January 5, 2027 at 12:00 am ET through February 28, 2027 at 11:59 pm ET. Entries received outside this period are not accepted.
- How to enter. Email the entry to hello@kidlorebooks.com as described on this page. One entry per child. Entering is free, and no purchase is necessary. A purchase does not improve the chance of winning.
- Entry requirements. A written story of up to 500 words, or a drawn story of 4 to 8 pages. The story must be the child's own original work and must not have been published before or won another contest. A grown-up may type or write down words the child says, but may not write the story. Stories may not use characters from books, movies, shows, or games. Content must be suitable for young children.
- Judging. This is a contest of skill, not chance. The KidLore Books Team judges entries on imagination (40 percent), story structure with a beginning, middle, and end (30 percent), and the child's own voice (30 percent). Spelling, handwriting, and drawing skill are not judged. Decisions are final.
- Winners. One winner in each age group: 5 to 7, 8 to 10, and 11 to 12. Winners' parents are notified by email by March 12, 2027 and must reply within 7 days, or an alternate may be chosen. Winners are announced by March 15, 2027 using only a pen name or a first name and last initial, never a full name, school, or town.
- Prizes. Each winner receives a 12 page published picture book of their story (illustrated, or with the child's own art for drawn stories), one printed paperback copy shipped free within the US, a Certificate of Authorship, and an optional listing on The Bookshelf under a pen name. Approximate retail value is $59 per prize, $177 in total. The family approves every page before printing, and only light edits are made with the family's approval. Prizes are not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
- Ownership. The child and family keep all rights to their story and art. By entering, the parent gives KidLore Books permission to read and judge the entry. With the parent's approval, a winning book's title, pen name, and cover may be shown on kidlorebooks.com and KidLore Books social media.
- Privacy. Children do not submit anything themselves. We use entry information only to run the contest and contact families, and we never sell it. Entries that do not win are deleted within 30 days after winners are announced.
- General. This contest is not sponsored or run by any social media platform. Void where prohibited. KidLore Books may cancel or change the contest if something outside its control affects it. Questions: hello@kidlorebooks.com.
Quick summary
The KidLore Young Authors Contest is free for kids ages 5 to 12 in the US. A parent emails a written story (up to 500 words) or a drawn story (4 to 8 pages) between January 5 and February 28, 2027. KidLore Books picks one winner in each of three age groups, and each winner's story becomes a published picture book.