Amy Sparkes talks to the top three prize-winners of the Writing Magazine Chapter Book Prize about their winning entries
THIRD PLACE: THE LUNCHBOX DRAGON BY KATE WALKER
Congratulations to everyone who entered the Writing Magazine Children’s Book Prize 2023! There were 61 entries in the chapter book prize category and it was very tricky • Judges’ comments: An imaginative, warmly relatable tale about finding a friend, filled with kindness, hope, and magic
The moon shone onto Emmie’s duvet in a bright patch of silver. She watched it, nervous at first. After the worst day at school ever, she was worried she might jinx it. But it was so lovely and shimmery she couldn’t resist. She sat up and reached towards it, the moonlight pooled in the palm of her hand.
“I’ve caught a moonbeam!” Emmie giggled, wiggling her fingers through the shaft of light. “I’ll make a wish. She looked up at the full moon shining outside her bedroom window. “What shall I wish for?”
The moon was dimpled. It reminded her of bright dragon scales.
“I wish I had a dragon,” she breathed. “That would show Pippa Glass I’m not someone to shush all the time. She’d want to talk to me then!” Emmie’s mind spun with worry as she looked around her small bedroom. “But Mam would be angry if a massive dragon broke all my stuff.” She glanced at her wardrobe with one door missing where she’d accidently snapped the hinge playing monkey dangle.
“It would have to be a teeny one so I could keep it secret. I wish for a tiny pocket dragon, silvery-small!”
whittling them down. However, we are delighted to share our top three winning entries. Read on to find out more about the stories and the writers behind them.
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING JOURNEY SO FAR?
I have been writing for twelve years. I started with picture books but discovered that I really enjoy writing middle grade novels. I also dabbled occasionally with chapter books when I had an interesting idea. Most of my books have a focus on ambitious world building or quirky characters that always challenge me. Pushing my imagination, which I adore.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GIVE THE COMPETITION A GO?
I always aim to write something new for either this competition or the picture book category. I never think about winning, I just focus on the deadline and encouraging my writing friends to polish up their books and submit too. This competition feels like it is for writers who are serious about being published, but it’s reasonably priced, and
