Get your story published in the Mumsnet Book of Bedtime Stories (in association with Gransnet)

Would you like to see your bedtime story published in a book?  We're running a competition with Walker Books and our friends over at Mumsnet to find great new children's authors. Up to 10 winners will see their stories included in an illustrated gift book of Bedtime Stories for the under-sevens. For your chance to be considered, submit your original manuscript of up to 1500 words by 30 November 2012.

All entries will be read and a shortlist of 20 will be compiled by a panel of leading experts, including the former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen. The shortlist will be announced on 28 January 2013, when the titles of the shortlisted stories will be published online. Michael Rosen, as chair of judges, will select from these the 10 winning stories. The winning authors will each receive £500 and the stories will be illustrated and included in a book of bedtime stories published by Walker Books in October 2013.

How to enter

We're looking for fresh voices and original, contemporary ideas. Walker believes in publishing quality books containing stories that children will love.

If you would like to enter, read the full terms and conditions to see if you are eligible for entry and for details on how to submit your manuscript.

Enter here.

Top tips to help you in your writing

• Remember the stories you loved as a child. What made them special?
• Practise writing regularly – it will get easier to express yourself.
• Keep a notebook and jot down observations and ideas.
• Remember what childhood is like. Capture your inner child.
• Good stories need emotion and good characters.
• Try reading your story aloud.
• Remember part of the story will be filled in by the reader’s imagination and the illustrator.
• Read other stories for children and work out what you like about them. Why do they work?
• What do your children or grandchildren like to read?

The judges

Michael Rosen, children’s writer and former Children’s Laureate

Denise Johnstone-Burt, Publisher, Walker Books

Louise Jackson, Senior Art Director, Walker Books

Rachel Foster, Associate Editor, Mumsnet

Geraldine Bedell, Editor, Gransnet

For the best children’s books, look for the bear www.walker.co.uk