Francesca is once again on the judging panel for Chris Evans’s 500 Words children’s short story writing competition. She will be joined on the panel by Malorie Blackman, Charlie Higson, Frank Cottrell Boyce and HRH Duchess of Cornwall.
Watch Francesca on BBC Breakfast News talking about the competition!
Now in its sixth year, the writing competition encourages children around the country between 5 and 13 years of age to get creative and send in their amazing stories by 7pm on Thursday 25 February. They are also inviting members of library staff to judge the competition. the contest requires children in two categories – 9 & under, and 10-13 years – to compose an original short story of no more than 500 words before the closing date on 26 February. The submitted entries will then be read by an army of book-loving librarians and teachers from across the country before being whittled down to a top 50 which are in turn read by the five judges.
The winners will be revealed at a special live broadcast of The Breakfast Show with Chris Evans on Friday 27 May which will be held at Shakespeare’s Globe as part of the BBC’s 2016 Shakespeare celebrations. Every single child who takes part will be entered into a ballot to attend this show along with the finalists.
