Leeds Lit Fest in partnership with Grammar School at Leeds, supported by a grant from Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, invite you to get involved in our ‘400 Words for Leeds 400’ competition. This is our first ever Leeds Lit Fest citywide creative writing competition for children and young people from EYFS through to Sixth Form. Get creative and help us to celebrate 400 years since Leeds received its Royal Charter from King Charles I back in 1626.
Your challenge: Write an original story, poem, monologue, or piece of creative non-fiction up to a maximum of 400 words. You can write about Leeds or the number 400, the choice is yours, you can write about anything you want to. Just be creative and give it a go. Good luck everyone!
Amazing prizes for winners in every age category: certificates, book tokens for both you and your school, your story published online and an invitation to a special awards event at an iconic venue in Leeds. Whether you love to imagine, create, or tell stories, this is your chance to make your mark on Leeds' 400-year history.
Send your entry before 12pm on Friday 8th May 2026
Main image: James Nicol
Each entry must include:
- Your name
- You age
- Your class teacher or form tutor’s name
- Your school or college
- Your responsible adult name and email address.
Guidance notes:
- One entry per student
- Competition closes 12pm Friday 8th May 2026
- The judging panel will be awarding marks for creativity, not spelling or grammar
- If your entry is hand written, or you want to submit multiple students’ work as a group teachers or form tutors can contact enquiries@leedslitfest.co.uk
- Leeds Lit Fest will not communicate directly with students as we will contact your school or responsible adult to let them know if you have won
- Entries that do not let us know their school or college will not be considered
- Each age category will have a range of prizes and certificates
- Winners will be invited to read their piece of creative writing at an event during the festival, your teacher/form tutor will be informed on Friday 15th May 2026.
- Your school or college will be sent details about the winners’ celebration event
- Submit your 400 words using this link or via the "Book Now" link.