The Young Walter Scott Prize 2020
by Rebecca Raeburn
Communication Support
3 October 2020
The Young Walter Scott Prize – the UK’s only creative writing prize specifically for budding historical fiction writers – is currently open for entries.
If you are aged between 11 and 19 and interested in history and writing, the Young Walter Scott Prize is waiting for your work. Any kind of fiction is accepted – prose, poetry, drama, fictional letters or reportage – it just has to be set in a time before you were born.
Enter your story of between 800 and 2000 words, and you could win a £500 travel grant, a weekend at the Borders Book Festival in 2021 (Covid-19 permitting), and the chance to see your work in print.
The runners-up in each category receive a £100 book token, and all the winning stories are published in a special Young Walter Scott Prize anthology book.
Entries are judged in two categories (11-15 years and 16-19 years) and they're on the lookout for stories with historical relevance and accuracy, originality, a good grasp of language, characterisation and plot – but above all enjoyment in your writing.
The closing date is 31st October 2019.
How to Enter
Submit your entry in hard copy by post, accompanied by an entry form. You can download the Entry Form on their website.
Previous winners' work:
Every year, the Young Walter Scott Prize publishes an Anthology of the winning stories. These are available to download using the links below.
About The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Prize
The Young Walter Scott Prize is run by The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Prize. Honouring the achievements of the founding father of the historical novel, the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the world. With a total value of over £30,000, and now in its twelfth year, it is unique for rewarding writing of exceptional quality which is set in the past.
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