Celebrate Youth Writing

. The opportunity is completely free to participate in and open to all 11-21 year olds within the Test Valley area. Participants may write about any subject of personal interest or importance and in any style that they prefer, e.g prose, poetry, song lyrics, script, blog, diary, etc. The closing date for entries is the 28th February and a limit of 1,500 words applies. Entries can be submitted at: http://www.testvalleyarts.org/a-celebration-of-young-writing.html

A selection of the best pieces will be published as part of a hardback anthology and eBook, which are to be launched at a showcase event on the 16th June at The Lights theatre in Andover. To promote the project we are also running a continuous story using Facebook and twitter, which will be pieced together day by day using suggestions received online. The story will start on the 1st of February and run until the 28th It will eventually be published in the book alongside all of the chosen entries in June. On the 1st of February the first line will be published on the Test Valley Arts Foundation website, on the following page: http://www.testvalleyarts.org/continuous-story.html We’ll also be sure to publish It on Facebook and Twitter. Then it’s over to you to suggest where the story goes from here. You can do this by commenting on our posts, posting directly on our wall, or by tweeting us. Entries must be no less than 65 words
Entries must be submitted by midnight each day
The winning entry will be published by midday on the following day

You can like and share your favourite suggestions and nominate your friends if you think they can do better. On twitter we will also be using the hashtag #CanYouDoBetter

The Test Valley Arts Foundation website, Facebook and twitter pages are there for you and other young writers just like you. We want these pages to be a safe, friendly and welcoming place for all, so we have a few ‘play nicely’ rules which must be adhered to at all times. Please note that we reserve the right to take down any interaction that breaks the rules or is unsympathetic to the spirit of the Test Valley Arts and Celebrate Youth Writing pages.

1) Flaming will not be tolerated – no idea is a bad idea!

2) Please don’t post any personal details such as telephone numbers, addresses or bank details. If you aren't sure about your post, send us a message via the site. We want to keep you safe.

3) When you post, you agree not to post anything that is defamatory, discriminatory, racist, obscene, offensive, abusive, threatening, in breach of any copyright or in any way unlawful or objectionable.

4) You can’t use our pages to troll, post spam or any other unsolicited messages, commercial or otherwise. We will delete these posts.

5) If you are an employee or you are affiliated with Test Valley Arts Foundation, Be Wiser Insurance, Bees Nest Books or CatsWritingRoom in any way, please remember you are not authorised to speak on behalf of these companies on these pages.

6) If you insist on being mean we may ban or report anyone who does not follow the above rules. If you have any questions, or if you are not sure if your writing is what we want, please contact us at [email protected]