contest format

• Genre or Style: Humorous fantasy, adventure, or mischief-driven fiction

• Prompt: Write a story where a child discovers something magical, strange, or surprising in an ordinary place

• Word Count: 200–500 words

• Unique Rule: Your story must include one adult who does not believe what’s happening

CONTEST details

Roald Dahl created heroes with messy hair, big dreams, and just the right amount of mischief. His stories were full of wild inventions, clever kids, awful adults, and just a pinch of magic. This contest invites you to write a short story where something small turns extraordinary — a worm with a secret, a grandmother with superpowers, a mean teacher turned into pudding.

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We’re looking for clever language, a bit of humor, and a story that doesn’t follow the rules (at least not all of them). The best entries will feel strange, funny, and full of voice.

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• Make your main character a kid — just like you. They can be smart, sneaky, kind, silly, or all of the above.

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• Add one unusual thing. A talking pencil. A magic recipe. A flying backpack. Let something weird walk into the story.

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• Let your characters speak with personality. Use funny phrases or weird words — Dahl did it all the time!

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• Include a twist. Maybe the “bad guy” isn’t so bad. Maybe the magic causes more trouble than help.

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• End with a surprise — or a giggle. Make us smile. Or gasp. Or both.