We caught up with some of our brilliant judges to discover what they look for in a winning story – and as award-winning children’s authors themselves, they certainly know their stuff!
Sir Lenny Henry, Charlie Higson and the Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce reveal what makes a standout 500 Words story – from making them laugh to how you can ‘make it your own’. Find out their six top storytelling tips.
This talented trio will join legendary authors Malorie Blackman and Francesca Simon on the judging panel to select the winning stories for 2025/26.
Frank: What makes
Lenny: a brilliant
Charlie: brilliant
Frank: brilliant
Lenny: 500 Words story?
Frank: Keep it simple. A 500 Words story - like any story - has a great hook, a dramatic build up and a satisfying ending. But it's also short and sweet. One character and one main idea, that will allow you space for a wonderful story. Your story can be less than 500 words… …but it can't be more!
Charlie: Make me laugh. Some of the best stories I've read made me laugh. I love stories that are fun especially when writers play with the words and their meanings. Here is a brilliant example from a 500 Words entry called 'The Grate Story of Jimmy Cheese', by Ivy M. "He caught a glimpse of his reflection, it wasn't the tall scrawny figure he was used to seeing, he gasped 'oh my! I'm a Swiss Cheese! It's going to brie ok!' Jimmy chuckled to himself".
Lenny: I want your story to feel real, like I'm really there. You can do that by using details and descriptions of how the world in your story looks, sounds, smells and feels. Use words to paint a picture - so I can imagine the world your story takes place in. I want to feel as if I'm the character and feel everything they feel in the story.
Frank: I want to care about your characters. Make them interesting or exciting or likeable. Then when you give those characters problems to solve, I just have to read on to find out what happens to them!
Charlie: I like it when a story has a surprise. Ask yourself, how can I look at something in a completely different way? Listen to the end of this 500 Words story called 'How the Ice Age Began' by Sanya K, "Saturn guiltily grabbed a nearby nebula and pressed it onto the bump [on Earth's head], like an ice pack and ta-da the Ice Age began!"
Lenny: Make it your own! The best story to write is one that comes from you - think about the people, places or things that you love. Remember, it doesn't need to have perfect spelling or grammar, as long as you love what you write, then we're going to love reading it. I can't wait to read your story!
Need more inspiration?
Back to 500 Words
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The top 50 finalists of 2024/25. audio
Read or listen to the top 50 stories that made it to the 2024/25 final.
The winning stories of 500 Words 2024/25
Watch Her Majesty The Queen present the winning stories at the 500 Words final 2024/25
