Publishing Competition for Kids
UPDATE: The competition is now closed. Thank you so much to everyone who took part! We received over 200 entries and it proved extremely difficult to choose the winners. The shortlist and four winners have now been emailed to every participant.
If you entered and have not received the emails, please contact me at sallydohertyauthor@outlook.com and I will send them to you.
TASK: Design your own Halloween-themed spell
in the style of the spells in the Toby Bean trilogy
WHO: 8-12 year olds
ENTRY: Free, one entry per child
PRIZE
The top four spell poems will be published in the Halloween-themed Toby Bean book in October.
By entering, you agree for the child's poem and name to be published in the book. You will not retain copyright nor receive royalties.
WHEN: Please email entries to sallydohertyauthor@outlook.com by 11.59pm 30th June 2026. Please include the child's name, age and an adult's contact email address on the entry.
FURTHER TASK DETAILS
The spell should be a poem with four lines.
The second and fourth lines should rhyme.
The spell should be Halloween-themed and
should clearly show what it does
(without any additional explanation necessary).
Please have a look at the spells in previous
Toby Bean books as well as the examples below
Example spells from the Toby Bean trilogy:
“Take this pumpkin
Make it prance
Give it arms
And legs to dance”
“Are you mouse
Or are you foe?
Reveal youself
From head to toe”
“Shine me a beam
Let there be light
In this darkness
Give me sight”
ENTRY FORM: You are welcome to use the attached PDF for your entry but it is not compulsory. (Though it may come in handy for teachers to print and give out!)