We’re delighted to share that nearly 1,000 aspiring authors across the UK have entered our competition to find a modern-day equivalent of the 200 year old Clement Clarke Moore classic, Twas the Night Before Christmas. The entrants are from authors aged nine to 90 years old and from all parts of the country, from Scotland and Northern Ireland, to Wales and all corners of England.
To help celebrate Christmas this year, we last month launched the search as a gift to families for bedtime reading this Christmas Eve. Twas the Night Before Christmas was first published in 1823 and has remained hugely popular ever since. We’re now looking for a modern day equivalent to this classic – while at the same time helping launch the career of an emerging storyteller and rewarding him or her in the process.
The judging panel, made up of Amazon book editors, artist and illustrator Aless Baylis, and children’s writer Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE, now has their work cut out for them as they pick the winner to be announced soon.
“Storytelling is extraordinarily powerful and can make children feel love, confidence and a sense of belonging, which is why I’m delighted to be part of the judging panel," said Baroness Benjamin. “A great story can encapsulate the magic of Christmas, so I’m looking forward to choosing the lucky winner whose story will be available to millions on Christmas Eve."
The winning story will be turned into a book with illustrations from esteemed illustrator Aless Baylis. The new tale will be published in the run up to Christmas, being made available for free for a limited time on Kindle devices, as well as the free Kindle reading apps for iOS, Android and more. The winner will also receive a £2,000 Amazon gift card, a top of the range Fire tablet and royalties from the book for years to come.
The competition is closed for entries but if you want to learn more, click here.
