WRITING FOR CHILDREN
Opening chapters
Amy Sparkes is delighted with the results of WM’s first Chapter Book Prize 2020, and talks to the top three winners
Thank you to everyone who took part in the first ever Writing Magazine Chapter Book Prize. There were over 130 entries and we really appreciate every single one, especially as last year was an extremely challenging time!
Congratulations especially to all our longlisters and shortlisters – to be listed for a Book Prize is a huge achievement. We hope you find this encouraging as you move forward with your writing this year.
Judging was a difficult process, but finally we chose our top three. Huge congratulations to our talented winners.
THIRD PLACE:
Chapter One: The Silvermoon Magical Riding School
Things you should know before you start this chapter:
Horses with wings can BITE!
The Silvermoon Magical Riding School stood high up on a moor, hidden in the mist. To anyone passing by it just looked like a collection of old tumbling down stone barns, but those able to pass through the dreamy mist were able to find a friendly, busy stable yard that looked a lot like your average riding school, but with rather unusual inhabitants.
At the entrance gate to the school, was a sign that proclaimed:
THE SILVERMOON
MAGICAL RIDING SCHOOL Riding lessons for all magical folk We protect and care for all magical horses And then in smaller writing:
If you fall off – don’t blame us The riding school was run by wise Mrs Silvermoon. What Mrs Silvermoon didn’t know about horses was said to be not worth knowing. She was one of those people that everyone admires and wants to impress, but she was also just a little bit scary. She could make children and horses behave with just a look – just the skill you need to run a riding school.
Our story begins on a warm starry night as Mrs Silvermoon looked over the stable yard, her half-moon glasses dangling around her neck on a silver chain.