We invite your students to enter the 16th competition of the Hong Kong Young Writers Award!
We are also delighted to announce that the award scheme has gained such popularity, that it now boasts the support of a non-profit organisation, THE YOUTH LITERATURE FOUNDATION. For more information on the foundation please go to https://www.hkywa.com/home3/ylf-new-non-profit/
Year-upon-year, we are continually amazed by the research and thought that goes into each child’s work and I’m positive this year we will continue to see some truly amazing entries.
Once again, the awards are being organised by Playtimes, one of Asia’s leading parenting and lifestyle magazines.
The Hong Kong Young Writers Awards (HKYWA) is an annual competition and fantastic opportunity for aspiring writers to showcase their talents and creativity. Our entry categories are in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and cover art.
Over the years, the awards have been sponsored by Search Group, SCAD, Cyberport, Max and Mei, Nury Vittachi, Faber-Castell, Bookazine, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, International New York Times, Techni Photo, Plus Group, El Charro, Delaney’s, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Shamrock Catering, Friday Everyday and Asia Exhibits House.
The competition’s main aim is to foster excellence in creativity by providing students with the opportunity to develop their expressive talents and expand their horizons. The awards encourage and recognise excellence in English writing and artwork among students, aged from 6-18, of various age groups, diverse backgrounds and different learning abilities. Since its inception in 2010, the competition has been a resounding success, with over 1,400+ entries coming in from approximately 200 participating schools across Hong Kong, Macau and China in 2024.
All entries should be based on the theme for 2023, New Tales of China’s Dinosaurs. One winner will be chosen in each of the groups, and one lucky student will be named The Hong Kong Young Writer of 2025.
New Tales of China’s Dinosaurs
China has quietly become the global epicenter of fossil-hunting. In the 1990s, a farmer found the world’s very first clearly feathered dinosaur. Scientists called it Sinosauropteryx, which means “the China dragon bird”. Since then, more than 40 dinosaur species have been found in the province of Liaoning, including more than 24 pterosaurs – winged reptiles.
Recently a new species of titanosaur was found in Jiangxi. Because China is less well-explored by paleontologists, there’s much excitement about what will be found next—and what amazing stories the ancient fossils will tell!
Please note that we do not accept submissions directly from students. Students must first submit to their teachers, who will then have to choose 10 entries to forward to the next round of the contest.
You can print out the registration and submission instructions below or view them online.
Invite to register letter
Registration Instructions
Forms to Download
Submission Instructions Primary
Submission Instructions Secondary