Frequently Asked Questions

The closing date for entries this year has now passed. Still looking for some help? You've come to the right place. If your question isn't answered below, you can get in touch via the email address 500words@bbc.co.uk

Help for Entrants

I forgot to enter - can I still submit a story?

The closing date for entries was Thursday 1st March. Sadly, we can't allow you to submit a story after the closing date. Sorry!

I've sent in a story. When will I hear back?

If your story makes it through to the second round of judging, we will let you know by the end of March. You will only hear back from us if your story is selected to go into the second round. Unfortunately, if you don't hear back from us this means that your story has not gone though. Don't be disheartened, and keep writing!

When will the top shortlisted stories be revealed?

Chris Evans revealed this year's top stories shortlist on Friday 4 May 2012.

What will happen if I make it into the shortlist?

If your story is selected as one of our top stories, we will contact you in April to invite you and a parent/guardian to the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts on Friday 1st June 2012.

When will the overall winners be announced?

Chris Evans will announce our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in each category live at the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts on Friday 1st June 2012. The winning stories will be read out by some famous faces live on BBC Radio 2, so the whole country will hear your story!

Help for Volunteer Judges

Do you still need volunteer judges?

Over 2,100 teachers and librarians from across the UK volunteered to mark stories in the first round of this year's competition, and we're extremely grateful to everyone who came forward to help. Since the first round of marking is now complete, we no longer need any volunteers.

I marked stories this year - have I won tickets to Hay Festival?

We are in the process of randomly selecting and contacting teachers and librarians who volunteered as judges this year to invite 25 of them to join us at Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts. Unless you hear from us by Friday 11 May, we're sorry, you were not selected in the draw.