National Young Authors Challenge 2.0

Your Chance to Become a Published Author with Penguin Random House

One of the Biggest Creative Writing Competition Returns – Two Penguin India Books Featuring Top 100 Stories from Grades 5–12.

Presented by Big Red Education in partnership with Penguin

Details & Registration

Welcome to the National Young Authors Challenge 2.0

Your Story Could Become a Published Book

Every great author begins with a single story.

Following the success of its inaugural edition, the National Young Authors Challenge returns as NYAC 2.0 – bigger, more inclusive, and with an even greater opportunity for young writers to see their work published by Penguin Random House.

This year, the challenge expands to students from Grades 5–12, with entries evaluated in two separate categories to ensure age-appropriate judging.

Two Categories. Two Books. 100 Young Authors Published.

That means two books, 100 published young authors, and an international platform for some of world’s most promising young storytellers.

The stories will be evaluated through a structured judging process involving Penguin authors, giving students the opportunity to have their writing considered by experienced professionals from the world of publishing.

Your Journey from Writer to Published Author with Penguin Random House

• Step 1: The Spark
  Every story starts with an idea.
  A character. A world. A question. An emotion. A moment you can’t stop thinking about.
  Take that idea and turn it into a story that is uniquely yours.
• Step 2: Enter the Challenge
  Submit your original short story and put your writing on a national platform alongside young storytellers from across the world.
  Your imagination is your starting point. Your voice is what makes the story yours.
• Step 3: Learn from Penguin Authors & Editors
  Every registered participant will have the opportunity to participate in a 2-day online writing bootcamp with Penguin authors and editors.
  Learn directly from publishing professionals and gain insights into storytelling, writing, editing, and what goes into creating compelling work.
• Step 4: Get Recognised
  Every participant receives a Certificate of Participation, while outstanding young writers will receive additional recognition for their achievements.
• Step 5: See Your Story Published by Penguin India
  This is where your story could go from a submission to a published work.
  The Top 50 stories from Grades 5–8 and the Top 50 stories from Grades 9–12 will be published in two separate Penguin Random House books.

Your name. Your story. A published book by Penguin Random House.

Story Requirements

• The submission must be a short story written in English.
• The story must be original fiction.
• The story must be previously unpublished and not submitted for publication elsewhere.
• The story must be written entirely by the student.
• The maximum word limit is 700 words, excluding the title.
• Entries exceeding the word limit may be disqualified.
• The story must be suitable for the student’s age category.
• The story should have a clear beginning, middle and end.
• Poems, memoirs, fan fiction, scripts, reports and non-fiction pieces will not be accepted.

Formatting Guidelines

• Submit the story as a Word document or PDF.
• All entries must be submitted using the following naming format: Name_Grade_Story[Number]. Example: AaravSharma_8_Story1
• Use A4 page size.
• Use Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri.
• Font size: 12 pt.
• Line spacing: 1.5.
• Use black text only.
• Do not include images, illustrations, maps or decorative formatting.
• The title should appear at the top of the first page.

Recognition & Awards

NYAC 2.0 celebrates young writers at every stage of the journey.

📖 Two Penguin Random House Books

The Top 50 stories from Grades 5–8 and Top 50 stories from Grades 9–12 will be published in two separate books.

🏆 Special Recognition for Top 50 & Next 50

Exclusive creative writing Bootcamp

As part of NYAC 2.0, every registered participant will receive access to an exclusive 2-Day Online Writing Bootcamp with Penguin authors and editors. Learn directly from publishing professionals and gain valuable insights into storytelling, writing, editing, and what goes into creating compelling work. Bootcamp dates will be announced soon.

🌐 Featured on the Official Penguin Website

The Next 50 stories from each category will be showcased on the official Penguin website, giving another 100 young writers a platform for their work. Every eligible participant will also receive a Certificate of Participation recognising their contribution to the National Young Authors Challenge 2.0.

Your Story Could Be Published by Penguin Random House

You don’t need to wait until you’re older to call yourself a writer. You just need a story worth telling.

Write Your Story. Find Your Voice. Become a Published Young Author.

National Young Authors Challenge 2.0 : REGISTER NOW