Barfoot & Thompson is a proud supporter of the 2026 Young Authors Challenge (YAC)!
This year we put a call out for stories with an amazing plot twist to surprise us, make us gasp, keep us guessing all the way to the end. Thanks for the 1200+ stories we received and we are excited to announce the winners!
Primary (up to 250 words)
Intermediate (up to 500 words)
Secondary (up to 750 words)
Each category winner receives a $500 cash prize and a $250 book voucher, with their schools receiving $1,000 cash and $1,000 worth of books.
View full terms and conditions for 2026 are here.
"Barfoot & Thompson proudly supports the Young Authors Challenge because it inspires creativity and gives young writers a platform to share their stories. Encouraging the imagination and talent of future generations is part of our ongoing commitment to the community." -– Nick Simmers, Head of Sponsorships & Events
Find our 2026 winners and read their short stories HERE!
Do you want to be an author? Here are some videos on our socials from the Auckland Writer's Festival 2025. Happy Writing!
Watch past winner Josh with some wise words of encouragement for new writers here.
Here's Anneliese with her winning advice.