*rant alert* My child ‘won’ a Young Writers competition and is going to be published

Today the 9yr old came out of school so full of proud he was steaming at the ears with it. As we walked to the car he couldn’t stop telling me all about it.

Not ONLY had he won the school’s ‘Achievers Certificate’ for a ‘fabulous piece of descriptive writing’, but he had ALSO “won a competition with a poem I wrote a-a-a-ges ago and there is a letter in my book bag and it’s going to be in a book and it’s amazing that I won and my poem is going to be in a book and would they send me the book and I won the competition and I’m really pleased and isn’t it funny that I’ve won and am going to be in a book….” (and BREATHE).

Once we were home, and able to study this exciting letter (whilst he hopped from foot to foot) it all became clear. The ‘competition’ was run by Young Writers, and the school entered all the children into it.

Yes, Jolly had ‘won’ a national writing competition. How exciting.

But then it transpired that so had three other children in his class?

Next came the important 9yr old question. What was his prize? Why, to be published in the book, naturally.
He did get a bookmark (a paper one advertising the Young Writers website), and a certificate too.
There are some cash prizes offered – but for the schools themselves.
Oh, and the best young writer in each region will win… a £10 book token. Ooooh.

Bestie best of all – if we want a copy of said book? That’ll be £15.99, thank you. Plus £2 P&P.

REALLY?

So how many ‘winners’ in this competition are there then?

We view our competitions as a creative writing experience, therefore we will endeavour to accept as many entries as we can, as long as they meet our editing criteria. We want to encourage children to enjoy reading and writing and to take pride in their work.

Ah. So not ACTUALLY a competition at all then (I’ve now heard many many tales of whole classes having their work accepted)?

Okay, so it’s not a ‘scam’ – they don’t lie, they don’t fool you out of your money, and there is a genuine book at the end of it.

But my 9yr old boy was SO thrilled at having ‘won’ a competition. When we explained the facts (gently) to him, he was FURIOUS, and felt utterly duped. He informed us we were not to spend the money on a copy of the book, he could have a quick look at the school’s version. He knows I get paid for writing – he understands at a basic level the financial worth of the content in published work.

This company, Bonacia, is gaining a raft of fabulous content for its books – and then letting the parents of those authors, the captive audience which is emotionally tied to that content, purchase copies. I’ve searched Amazon – not one of Bonacia’s Young Writer poetry anthologies (and they’ve been going for 18 years, and the books are published regionally, so that’s a LOT of anthologies) is available to buy.
Not one.
Which suggests to me that their sole income stream is the parents/grandparents/family/friends of the children who have ‘won’ a place in the book.

Yes, I’m damn sure they do include as many as possible! In fact, their invoice for the book letter of congratulation states

One of our main aims is to raise awareness of poetry within the classroom and promote the enjoyment of reading and writing it – in the interest of encouraging pupils and to help achieve this aim, all young writers stood a very realistic chance of seeing their work in print.

Which is a very round-the-houses way of saying ‘if you enter, you’re in’. Because the more they can fit in, the more money they can make. Competition My Arse.

And cleverly, by rewarding the school with the prize and not the children, they neatly manipulate their income stream. No cash-strapped school has the time or energy to enter competitions which don’t benefit them. But dangle a free £1000, and they’ll probably manage to get the children to do a creative writing exercise one afternoon, and find the time to upload the best of them to the Young Writers website.

Not to mention the blanket “I give permission for the work to be published” copyright statement every parent must sign – which entitles them to permanent worldwide rights to that poem for ever more.

So, by kind permission of it’s author, here’s my son’s poem (I love it, think he’s genius, and totally deserved to actually win a prize with it. But I cheerfully admit I may be everso slightly biased.

Queen Elizabeth Comes To Stay

I see people before me standing by a tree

The rusted trumpets raise, for who knows how many days,

The people start to pray, collapsing there all day,

Then ruthless Queen Elizabeth comes to stay.

 

I hear the growls of the Queen that must mean I need to redeem.

I hear the yells of a man being forced to eat jellied eels… and ham!

I hear the howls of a dog being chased around,

Oh, what a poor hound!

I hear the rattles of the platter, they make such a clatter.

I feel the shivers of the lord, I don’t think he can pluck a chord.

I feel the drips of the soaking rain, I don’t think I can hear again!

Jolly, aged 9.

 

 

 

Author: Laura

A 70's child, I’ve been married for a Very Long Time, and appear to have made four children, and collected one large and useless dog along the way. I work, I have four children, I have a dog… ergo, I do not do dusting or ironing. I began LittleStuff back in (gulp) 2004. I like huge mugs of tea. And Coffee. And Cake. And a steaming cone of crispy fresh fluffy chips, smothered in salt and vinegar. #healthyeater When I grow up I am going to be quietly graceful, organised and wear lipstick every day. In the meantime I *may* have a slight butterfly-brain issue.

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44 Comments

  1. New Stuff: *rant alert* My child ‘won’ a Young Writers competition and is going to be published http://t.co/zF5GDSHX

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    • Hi,
      My daughter won the with “imagine” poem.It actually sent us to ID and oassword to sign into their web site and the poem will published in the book
      They were choosen around 200 kids than there were another competition between them too .Those 3 children in each section got price.We were really proud and happy specially English is not our first language.
      We are continue with young writers to join their competitions.Really like it

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      • As soon as i read the letter i thought to myself something smells fishy!
        After filling in the form to give my permission (sadly) I was jsut anout to proceed to payment when i googled the company and came across a daming newspaper article about the owners and the whole preocess of the ‘competition ‘ I asked my son if he was the only one who got a certificate and he proceeded to show my from a class photograph all who also received a certificate (the whole class!) Then I came across this article and am glad I didn’t part with my hard earned £16.99. I’ll laminate his story qlong withbhis Certificate and pin it to his wall, thats satisfactory for us!

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    • My daughter just came home after receiving her award and the opportunity to pay money and give her story away.
      What I can’t understand is every kid but one in the class got an award.
      I’m sure the poor boy who got nothing will feel dreadful.
      After writing this I will also write to the school and education department.

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    • Why did you tell your child the facts behind the competition instead of just celebrating his achievement??? We realised the same but I didn’t take my child to one side and tell them. Instead I praised the achievement. What is wrong with you? Personally I like the company they do a deal if you order 2 you get a 3rd free. The book itself is awesome. And what a fantastic thing for my child to have. Her poem in print. If you didn’t want to pay out fair enough it is a little pricey. But I wouldn’t of crushed your child’s self esteem in the process….

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      • Good point. It’s a positive activity. Let the kids enjoy it. You can choose whether or not to buy the book, and I can see how the kids will enjoy seeing their writing published in a book along with other students’ writing.

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  2. Well done to your son that is a beautiful poem. he is a talented boy.

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    • thank you – we think so too ;)

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  3. I can’t stand it when companys prey on people like that. Well done Jolly for writing an excellent poem and for having the intelligence not to fall for buying the book. What a shame to have to suffer the crushing disappointment, its happened to me and its a horrible feeling. I suppose its one of life’s lessons but sad that a child has to learn it.

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    • Thanks Hazel. He was crushed – not so much at the lack of publishing (he doesn’t have the towering self-confidence to presume he ever deserved it), but the sheer duplicity of the people behind the competition.
      Children aren’t stupid – they know what a competition is, and equally when they’re being conned and patronised.

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      • What a great young poet! I came across this article when trying to find out what happened with a writing mag competition in which I entered two precious heartfelt stories. I am not claiming they were worthy of any acclaim, just respect for the fact I had paid and deserve to know- especially as they sent an email saying they had gone past the deadline for the results and entrants shouldn’t add to their workload…words to that effect anyway!!
        Wise young chap tgat son of yours and I genuinely enjoyed tge atmosphere and vibrancy and visuals of his poem!

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      • What a great young poet! I came across this article when trying to find out what happened with a writing mag competition in which I entered two precious heartfelt stories. I am not claiming they were worthy of any acclaim, just respect for the fact I had paid and deserve to know- especially as they sent an email saying they had gone past the deadline for the results and entrants shouldn’t add to their workload… words to that effect anyway!!
        Wise young chap that son of yours and I genuinely enjoyed the atmosphere and vibrancy and visuals of his poem!

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  4. you must be a really proud mom and a talented son..tc!

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  5. Evening Laura, was searching the web for info on ‘young writers’ and came across your piece.

    In case you were not aware, the Walton family are still fooling parents up and down the land with this vanity publishing scam.

    I’m going to write to my daughters school tomorrow to grumble, I sit suppose your’re planning on refreshing the item item are you?

    They have a clever website now and offer to print yearbooks and random guff. Clearly a ‘printer’ rather than a publisher. It is synovial and greedy and whilst it’s a deadly sin and all that .. Alas I expect they’re not ‘technically’ breaking any laws.

    Just makes me feel better typing though.

    Rant ends

    Lawrence salvoni
    (hacked off parent of upset 13 year old nipper)

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    • Oh Lawrence, I cannot believe they’re still doing the rounds, and no one has yet taken them to task.
      It’s a shocking business model, made more sad by the fact that it has the potential to be genuinely great.

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      • 2023 and the books are £17.99 each, plus £3.99 postage now! An option of free delivery to school and they get a free copy for the library. 6 children in my son’s class were put forward and only 5 stickers were received for them…

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  6. Hi. My 12 year old daughter got one of those lovely letters today. At our home address. (How did they get that??) All the same content as your talented son received.

    She went from total delight and excitement to crushing disappointment once I started to google….

    Somebody really needs to stop these people!!!

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    • It’s so depressing that schools continue to participate in this (and yes, HOW did they get your home address??)

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  7. It’s now April 2016 and my 8 year old daughter has ‘won’ a 100 word story writing competition as has the other girl in her class who entered. While searching for information I came across your post. I was extremely suspicious when I saw the cost of the books and your post has confirmed my fears. My 8 year old is really angry that she has been lied to and I’m really cross that the school has been misled into believing this was a competition. I will be booking an appointment with the head tomorrow

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    • It surely can’t be news to headteachers that this is the way the scheme works – why on earth they continue to fall for it is frankly baffling. And it makes me so cross – there are a lot of really good, genuine writing competitions out there for children. Why schools continue to participate in this one is beyond me.

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    • I’m not telling my daughter that it’s a scam I don’t see why she would need to know it’s says she has won a competition and we will leave it at that and yes I will by the book for her to remember how happy she was when receiving the letter my daughter has dysgraphia and dyslexia so this was a great boost for her confidence and I’m not going to take that away from her

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  8. I am very, very angry with the school that my grand-daughter goes to as she and my son an daughter in law got this letter and they even paid for 2 books! The school should be ashamed of themselves and I feel as if we have been made fools of. I woud like to ask the school who’s idea this was to take part in what is really not much better than a letter from Santa but much more expensive!!

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  9. Thank-you for your post. This weekend my 11yo has a 100 word story to write for her homework. I have shown her your article and she will be submitting a range of similar posts like this printed off with her 100 word story and a letter from me forbidding the school to enter her into this scam. She has ‘won’ one of these before and I didn’t make enough of a fuss then to express my displeasure.

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    • That’s a great idea Heather – the more schools are pressured by parents, the quicker the whole thing will die.

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  10. I and a number of other mums have just been duped into this! A letter arrived on the door step yesterday and yes you can imagine the total excitement my 9 year old daughter had when she read the letter. She was dancing around the kitchen in such delight it was a joy to watch! The ‘book’ is £16 “can we buy a few books one for nanny and aunt sue, I would like 2 copies!! etc..”So later on that day I post on Facebook ‘proud mum moment’ and then all the mums reply “mine too”! After some digging around we find loads of stuff on the internet of disgusted parents in the same boat. So I am fuming and now trying to think what is the best way to address this with my daughter.

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  11. I and a number of other mums have just been duped into this! A letter arrived on the door step yesterday and yes you can imagine the total excitement my 9 year old daughter had when she read the letter. She was dancing around the kitchen in such delight it was a joy to watch! The ‘book’ is £16 “can we buy a few books one for nanny and aunt sue, I would like 2 copies!! etc..”So later on that day I post on Facebook ‘proud mum moment’ and then all the mums reply “mine too”! After some digging around we find loads of stuff on the internet of disgusted parents in the same boat. So I am fuming and now trying to think what is the best way to address this with my daughter.

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    • They are still at it!!! 6 year old came home from school really excited about winning a competition and having a story published in s book. Thankfully I saw these posts on line and will be going to the school tomorrow to let them know exactly what I think!

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      • It’s hard to believe the schools don’t know, isn’t it? Definitely wave it in their faces, with enough parents doing so the ‘Young Writers’ scheme will dry up, hopefully.

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        • You people really are miserable. You didn’t need to tell your child that it wasn’t a competition. The school will get a benefit of a cash prize meaning that they have access to more books/resources, they aren’t forcing you to buy the book. Let them be creative, let them be published, when I was 10 I won one, and again when I was 13. I didn’t care that there were other stories in the book. Your kids work is published in print and makes them feel valued, you are all just a bunch of miserable sods who can’t let your children have a proud moment. Its pathetic that you guys must insist that you either have your children win than to let others all be published with their different ideas, stories and type of writing. Pathetic.

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          • I must disagree with you Previous Winner. The business model is dishonest at its core and letting a child go out into the world making a claim which risks being exposed as a scam or dupe later on down the road is dangerous. My 9yr old son took it very well when I explained the scam and let him read this blog. And his reaction was the same as most of the parent who have posted replies here. “Why dis the school participate in this? Why not just hold a real competition?”. From the mouths of babes. The good thing is that it gave me a chance to read his story again, and it is awesome. Going to frame it this weekend. Peace and happy writing … and reading! to you all.

  12. That is one good poem. You should be very proud.

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  13. This is a scam, and one that’s been labelled as such by other people whose children have been preyed upon by this company. see the article https://young-writers-scam.blogspot.com/

    My suggestion is that if your child’s school mentions anything about pupils writing poems for this “competition”, that the school admin should be directed to investigate the company behind this, Bonacia, prior to letting children enter this. Hopefully if enough schools decline to submit their pupils’ work, the company will go out of business.

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    • Yes, we always suggest parents report back to the school and kick up a fuss with their headteachers – as you say, hopefully it will eventually trickle down and dry up the business.

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  14. Personally, I think it is a great way to encourage reluctant writers. My eldest son is a great writer, but has a horrible time in school writing due to the pressure he puts on himself. Over lockdown I intentionally had him enter this to help him loosen up and not worry so much. It is such a confidence boost, even being well aware that everyone that enters gets published. Who cares? They are kids. It isn’t all about winning a competition. It is about encouraging a love and excitement for writing. A scam by definition has to trick people. The only people being tricked are the ones that don’t actually read what the website says anyway.

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    • I’m really glad it worked for you and your son Sara :)

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  15. And I fell for the scam and bought not one but two books, because then the third one was free. I wish I had seen this (and many other posts about this) before.

    Of course, they do not give you the option to cancel the purchase.

    BTW, if they tell you that there will be a selection process and then everyone wins, it is a scam.

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  16. My daughter, 4, came home with a letter recently, it was a lovely surprise and I agree with the more positive take on it, she gets to see hers and all her friends poems in print at the nursery and at home. One lovely point is that her poem references her best friend and her best friends poem references her. So lovely while they are so young.

    The letter doesn’t say she’s won a competition but rather that they’d like to include her poem for publication. This maybe differs from some of the others experiences above. The only negative is that they submitted the poem without informing parents (probably because we’d likely say no!?)

    I think it is a lovely keepsake and I’d recommend to others to just buy one copy and photocopy (is that legal!? :-/ ) your child’s poem for family members. Win-win :-)

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  17. My 9yo son has also ‘won’ two of these ‘competitions’ and I saw through it right away however I haven’t felt the need to crush his excitement and it really helps to boost and encourage him to do something he loves. He’s not particularly academic or sports orientated so he doesn’t get many opportunities to experience that thrill of achievement. He writes all the time now and talks about wanting to continue to be a writer and £15.99 on a book was well worth that!!

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  18. Thank you I am so happy that I read this.Now knowing this I will try to convince my ELA teacher to stop us from submitting the writing papers.

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  19. lmfao honestly i dont really care, as long as my parents are proud of me XD

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  20. Why is everyone so negative. My 8 year old daughter just found out hers will be published. Shes over the moon for £35.98 I get 3 books as its now buy 2 get a 3rd free. We will keep 1 and each Grand Parent will have one. The joy and excitement she will get from seeing her writing and name in print in a book you can’t buy. I’d much rather have that then spend £40 on some stupid games console game any thing that encourages read and writing at a young age should be applauded.

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  21. My 4 Yr old has just come home with a letter about how his poem is going to be in a book, and I’ve never seen the kid so estatic. The poem is cute af and I’m not going to ruin his moment by saying no. £30 for three books is a no brainer to me. Why you all so intent on killing children’s joy?!?

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  22. My god some of you parents are real kill joys aren’t you. Yes, I have to agree, when my daughter won a competition and found out that her poem gets to be printed, the cynic me thought “hmm, I wonder how many also won”. Turns out over 200 entered from her school and only 40 won, so it’s not quite so much of a scam that you’re so quick to assume.

    Also, you don’t HAVE to buy a copy if you don’t want to, just let the child enjoy their ‘win’ and feel like they’ve accomplished something, which they have.

    Yes it may be a business model for them, but if by winning a competition it spurs the child on in a creative way, who gives a flying fig? No one is getting hurt in this and the school gets a free copy of the book anyway, so if you’re really a tight arse just get them to photocopy the page.

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