04 Apr 2024
Have you ever felt ignored, patronised or angry because your opinion wasn’t valued due to your age? Do you think you have something worthwhile to say about the issues which matter to you? Do you want to be heard?
The St Albans Times wants to give you that opportunity. We believe in providing a platform for the district’s young people to have their say, and we want to give you a chance to reach an audience in the tens of thousands.
Our new initiative, Write Now St Albans, aims to show the importance of allowing the young generation to have a voice by creating a movement for open and informed writing.
We are looking for between 400 and 1,000 words – printed, emailed, handwritten – on a subject which you feel passionate about, for publication in a future edition of the St Albans Times and on our website.
You could write a report on an eco-campaign, review the latest restaurant, comment on the performance of a local sports team, present your thoughts on the US Presidential elections or examine the impact of climate change on local wildlife. It’s your choice, your voice, your opinion.
It should relate to one of the following categories:
· Environment and sustainability – Potential stories could include the state of Verulamium Lakes, sustainable businesses or the future of the Green Belt.
· Politics – Why not write about the forthcoming General Election, the rise of Reform UK, or how grassroots campaigns are shaping local politics?
· Science – Has the electric car revolution delivered on its promises? Should be spend billions of pounds sending people into space? What will the next generation of smartphone offer?
· Sport – Report on local matches, interview players and managers, explore up and coming sporting activities.
· Nature – How have watervoles been reintroduced to the River Ver? Has the return of red kites to our skies changed the food chain? What can be done to protect our hedgehogs?
· Education – Are schools providing lessons which matter? What does it mean to be a teacher today? What should pupils really be learning about?
· Entertainment – Tell us what you think about the latest film, restaurant or leisure venue, interview the next generation of acting talent, or look behind the scenes at our local theatres…
· Arts and literature – What does art mean to you? Who are the local talent who should be showcased in the district?
· World news – What will it mean to the world if Donald Trump is re-elected? How has Brexit affected modern Britain? What can be done to control immigration?
Our panel of experts drawn from the local community will provide constructive feedback on submissions, with the best chosen for publication.
Rules of entry
Make sure your entries are valid by following the rules detailed below:
·You must be aged between 11 and 17
·Entry is free and you can submit as many entries as you wish
·Each submission must be between 400 and 1,000 words in length
·You can choose one of the categories listed or write about a subject that you are passionate about
·You can handwrite or type on A4 paper or enter via email
·Please include your full name, age, full address, contact details and name of the school you attend with your entry
·Each entry must be your own, original work and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted
·You retain the copyright of your works but by submitting to this contest you allow the St Albans Times to publish your work(s) across their media channels
Winners
·Every person who enters will get feedback on their submission from the editorial team at the St Albans Times
·Each month we will publish winning submissions. Winners will be contacted in advance of publication
·In March 2025 an awards ceremony will be held to celebrate the category winners and crown the young writer of the year
How to enter
·Send your submissions by email to editor@stalbanstimes.co.uk
·Post your submissions to Write Now, St Albans Times, 26 Clifton Street, St Albans, AL1 3RY
·Don’t forget to include your name, age, address, contact information and your school.
Contact us
We are here to help! If anything is unclear or you have questions, email us at editor@stalbanstimes.co.uk
