Date published: 30 April 2010

Budding young authors are being invited by Bury libraries to take part in the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition 2010.

Six winners will meet the famous author Jacqueline Wilson, editors, publishers, agents, and other professionals in children's publishing at a celebration party in London on July 14.

This and the Branford Boase Award are annual awards to encourage and recognise talented young new writers.

Both awards were set up after Henrietta Branford, a gifted novelist for young people, and Wendy Boase, editorial director of Walker Books, both died of cancer in 1999.

People under 19 can enter the competition and, to help you get started, last year’s Branford Boase winner B. R. Collins has written a starter paragraph. All you need to do is write your story of not more than 1,500 words using this paragraph.

For more details and ideas, look at
http://www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk/HBWC/hbwcstart.html