Friday 21st April 2023, 5:00pm

Mystery Writing Competition - 2023

Wanted! Aspiring young writers across Devon 8-18 years of age!


The Agatha Christie Festival is inviting aspiring young writers, 8-18 years of age, who live or go to school or college in Devon to enter our exciting mystery-story writing competition.
Superb prizes to be won!
 It’s free to enter.

There are two categories:

  • Category 1: 8-13 years of age;
  • Category 2: 14-18 years of age.

It’s easy to enter. Write a short story of no more than 1,000 words involving a mystery and submit your entry online. Find out more here.

The closing date to get your story to us is Friday, 11 August 2023.

The 1st placed winner of each category will win an Apple iPad Mini™ and more. There are great prizes too for the 2nd and 3rd-placed young writer in each category from HarperCollins UK and all winners will receive a copy of the new 1000-piece Agatha Christie jigsaw puzzle from Laurence King Publishing. You will receive your prize during the Festival which runs 10th-17th September across the English Riviera.

The Festival is pleased to bring you the competition in partnership with Literature Works, Libraries Unlimited and Torquay Museum. Visit Torquay Museum or pop into your local Devon library for inspiration and support.

Thank you to our sponsors: Wollens, PKF Francis-Clark,, Laurence King Publishing.

Visit the competition page