The 2026 Barfoot & Thompson Young Authors Challenge has been announced and it's a plot twist!
By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature | Posted: Wednesday May 13, 2026
2026 Theme: Twisting the Plot. Submissions close 7 Aug 2026.
A great story can surprise you in the best way. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen… everything changes!
Maybe a secret is revealed. Maybe a character makes a startling choice. Maybe the story takes a turn you never saw coming. That’s called a plot twist.
This year, we want YOU to write a story with an amazing plot twist. Make us gasp, surprise us, and keep us guessing all the way to the end!
Enter the 2026 Barfoot & Thompson Young Authors Challenge with the theme “Twisting the Plot” and tell your story in any way you like — whether it’s a thrilling adventure, a funny tale, a suspenseful mystery, or a true story that even you didn’t see coming. Tell your story and be in to win some amazing prizes for yourself and your school.
If you’re looking for inspiration, try Andy Griffiths’ The Treehouse series, which takes readers on many hilarious and unexpected turns; the gasp-worthy picture book I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen; or, for older readers, E. Lockhart’s unforgettable We Were Liars or Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, which is packed with secrets and surprising twists.
Let your creativity take the lead and be in to win some amazing prizes for yourself and your school.
Submissions are now open until 7 Aug 2026.
Winners will be announced on Friday, 4 September 2026.
Categories:
Primary (up to 250 words)
Intermediate (up to 500 words)
Secondary (up to 750 words)
Prizes
Each category winner receives a $500 cash prize and a $250 book voucher, with their schools receiving $1,000 cash and $1,000 worth of books.
For information visit:
Young Authors Challenge 2026 | Barfoot & Thompson
To learn more about the terms and conditions of the Young Authors Challenge visit:
Young Authors Challenge 2026 Terms and Conditions | Barfoot & Thompson