The shared reading charity, which encourages military families to share books together, is turning the tables and asking families to put pen to paper and write their own stories. Members of Forces families – from infants to grandparents – are invited to write about ‘My Forces Life’ for the chance to win prizes including £100 of books and have their stories published in a special anthology.
This competition will run for seven weeks from 7 February until 27 March 2022.
Reading Force see this competition as an opportunity for families to have their creative say.
Participants can write up to 500 words about Forces life. This can be fiction or true-life writing, and in any form – a story, a few diary entries, a poem, or a joint piece of writing between family members.
The remit is broad with families having the freedom to express whatever they wish to about being part of the military community. Children may write a fantasy of what they imagine their Forces parent gets up to in their day job! Parents may like to get down on paper the beginning of the memoir they have always wanted to write. An adult in the family could pen a joint piece of writing with a child.
“During the last 10 years of Reading Force, we have been consistently impressed and moved by the way families express their thoughts and feelings when sharing books together. The creativity, effort, and the expression that families put into their Reading Force scrapbooks has always inspired us to keep finding ways to support and work constructively with families. We are really looking forward to seeing what stories families will submit to this competition.”
Entrants may find their favourite author is judging their story! The award-winning authors Vivian French, Tom Palmer, Meg Rosoff, and Amanda Prowse, and BFBS Radio presenter Mark McKenzie, will be judging the stories. There are 15 prizes for different age categories, and all winning entries will be published in a special anthology. Every person entering will be awarded a certificate.
The competition is generously sponsored by Bolt Burdon Kemp Solicitors, and Hachette Children’s Group.
“Bolt Burdon Kemp support Reading Force and the work they do to enable military families to spend time together during challenging times. We know how invaluable connection is during times of separation for parents and children. We wanted to do more to help promote this wonderful and worthwhile charity and we are privileged to sponsor the My Forces Life writing competition. The competition entries will offer a unique insight into Forces Life and we are excited to see what stories are shared.” Victoria Sedgwick, Senior Solicitor-Advocate, Bolt Burdon Kemp Solicitors
Hilary Murray Hill, CEO Hachette Children’s Group says:
“We are delighted to support this initiative from Reading Force and supply the book prizes for the young winners. Encouraging children to read, and write, for pleasure is at the heart of what we do and all we publish and we hope as many children and young people as possible will want to engage with the competition.”
