The search for the UAE's best young writers is on!

The Emirates Literature Foundation’s search for the nation’s best young story writers has begun, with the launch of its annual Story Writing Competition.

The theme for this year's creative writing competition is ‘Old Friends’.

Entries can be submitted in Arabic and in English from full-time students in schools, colleges, and universities in the UAE in the following age-specific categories: 11 and under, 12-14, 15-17 and 18-25.

Winners will be honoured in an awards ceremony held during the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in 2023, and the winning entries will be published in an anthology.

More than 3,700 stories were entered last year. The deadline for submissions is 24th October 2022.

"Creative writing is such an important skill, for students, and for life," said Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation.

"The competition themes are designed to ignite the students’ curiosity and allow their imaginations to explore an infinite variety of ideas," she continued.

"‘Old Friends’ as well as actual friends, can refer to a favourite book or character, a beloved pet, a cuddly toy: the list is endless. I can’t wait to see our young storytellers’ happy and creative interpretations of the theme," she added.

More information about the theme, deadlines and submission guidelines, are available on the website.