WriteNow application guide

We've pulled together the below tips from past assessors in order to help you nail your application. When submitting your entry...

Understand your audience 

Think carefully about the age range you’re writing for. Picture books, middle grade, and chapter books all have different expectations for language, plot, and character development. Understanding your audience will help you make choices about tone, pacing, and vocabulary that are engaging and age appropriate.  

Take a look at the following articles to help you think through which age-range you’re writing for: 

How to Write a Picture Book  

How to Write a Chapter or Middle Grade Book   

Think about your central characters 

Readers connect with characters they can relate to, root for, or learn from. Consider their age, personality, desires, and challenges. Even in fantastical or imaginative settings, authentic emotions and motivations make your story resonate. 

Get to know your story 

Take time to think through your plot, key story beats, and the journey of your characters. You don’t need everything figured out, but having a strong sense of structure will make your application more compelling. 

Choose the right extract for your submission 

Pick a section that clearly demonstrates your story and characters. Avoid starting mid-scene with many characters already introduced. A shorter, self-contained extract is often better than trying to fit in too much. This allows assessors to get a clear sense of your writing. 

Get a second opinion

Share your synopsis and extract with another person! Fresh eyes can help spot an unclear plot, pacing issues, or age-appropriateness, and can give valuable feedback before submission. 

Edit, edit, and then edit again

Refine your writing carefully. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and readability. For children’s books, rhythm, clarity, and flow are especially important, whether for picture book text or chapter book narrative. 

Protect your personal information

You’ll provide your name, address, and eligibility details as part of the application, but don’t include your name anywhere else in your synopsis or extract. These parts of your submission will be shared anonymously with our assessors. 

Use the supporting materials available

Take advantage of the resources we provide during the application window. Sign up for the Getting Published newsletter and check the Getting Published hub for tips from assessors, webinars, and guidance to help you polish your submission.