The success story of Ben Brooks‘ Grow Up (the review of which you’ll read in the next issue of Cooler) inspired Canongate to find more young authors and help them get noticed.

So if you feel you’ve got the writing genes in you and you’re aged between 16 and 19, make sure to upload a short story or extract of a novel to Don’t Panic online and hope the judges Canongate Editor Francis Bickmore, Deputy Editor of Dazed and Confused Tim Noakes, and Ben Brooks himself will like it! The winner will receive one-to-one editorial advice and help with building their profile online, and their story or extract will be published on the Canongate website.

Rules and Conditions

• The competition is open to anyone from 16 to 19 years old
• The story or extract must be a work of fiction, no longer than 3000 words
• The first prize is a one-to-one consultation with Canongate’s Senior Editor and £150 worth of Canongate Books, Francis Bickmore. Second prize and Third prize is £100 and £50 worth of Canongate books.
• Canongate will cover travel and one night’s accommodation within the UK for the winner
• Closing date Friday 1^st July. Winners will be notified later on in July
• The competition is free to enter
• The story or extract must be the work of the entrant, previously unpublished, and not simultaneously entered for other competitions.
• The judges’ decision is final. No discussion will be entered into.
• Copyright remains with the author although Canongate Books reserves the right to publish the winning entry online
• Email entries are accepted, please upload your submission onto Don’t Panic Online
• Postal entries should be sent to Ben Brooks Short Story Competition, Canongate Books, 14 High Street, Edinburgh, EH11TE
• Submission of work will be taken as acceptance of rules and conditions.