International Easy Read Creative Writing Competition 2026
Description
2026 Plot Play Writing Competition Stars
Write your own Easy Read story or poem!
The theme for the 2026 Plot Play Writing Competition is Stars.
Your writing must include something about a star.
A star can be anything.
It could be:
a person
a place
a feeling
an animal
something else that you think is a star.
All star ideas are welcome.
About the competition
Plot Play is a story club that is accessible and inclusive.
We want people to write creative stories and poems using Easy Read.
Easy Read uses:
easy words
short sentences
one idea at a time
pictures that help people understand.
You can write a story with a:
beginning
middle
end.
Or you can write a poem to share your feelings and ideas.
Your story or poem must be 500 words or less.
There are 3 prize
Prize 1 $200 AUD
The judges will choose a winner who has a disability and finds reading and writing hard.
They will win $200 Australian dollars.
Prize 2 $200 AUD
The judges will choose a winner who is writing for people with disability who find reading and writing hard.
They will win $200 Australian dollars.
Prize 3 $100 AUD
One winner will be chosen as the favourite entry of the International Easy Read Community of Practice.
They will win $100 Australian dollars.
Important dates
Competition opens
28 May 2026
Entries close
Midnight in your time zone
Monday 1 November 2026
Winners announced
3 December 2026
Who can enter?
You must
be 18 years or older
write your story or poem in English
live anywhere in the world
You can enter from any country
Some countries may not allow us to send you a cash prize.
If this happens we will give you a gift card instead.
Entry fee
The entry fee is
$15 Australian Dollars
Your entry fee helps us pay the competition prizes.
How to enter
Step 1
Pay the $15 AUD entry fee through Humanitix.
Step 2
Complete the 2026 Plot Play Writing Competition application form. There are 2 places to get it from
here
https://www.byed.com.au/easy-read-writing-competition
or here
https://canva.link/2026-easy-read-writing-competition-star-stories
Step 3
Write your Easy Read story or poem.
Your entry must be 500 words or less.
Step 4
Check your writing using the Easy Language Checklist in the application form.
Step 5
Email your:
completed application form
story or poem
to:
Step 6
Send your entry before:
Midnight in your time zone on Monday 1 November 2026.
How to write your own Star Story
Do you want help writing your story?
We have made a How to Write Your Own Star Stories YouTube playlist.
The videos can help you:
choose your star
choose an idea
build your story
create your own Star Story
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_bH7rBO1wBxt8Tvvp58H1k0eCJOtkU06&si=-wiNqTQEGm1ujmXg
Before you email your entry to plotplayeasy@gmail.com
Please check that:
☐ You are 18 or older.
☐ You have paid the $15 AUD entry fee (Humanitix)
☐ Your story or poem is 500 words or less.
☐ Your writing includes something about the theme Stars.
☐ You have completed the application form.
☐ You have given consent for By Ed to share your name and entry on its website, in newsletters and reports, and on social media.
☐ You have emailed your application form and entry to plotplayeasy@gmail.com.
💛 Need help?
If you have a question about the competition, please email:
You can also leave us a message.
In Australia:
0416 464 151
Outside Australia:
+61 416 464 151
Important to remember
You pay your $15 entry fee here on Humanitix.
AND email your application form and story or poem to plotplayeasy@gmail.com
We cannot wait to read your Easy Read creative work!
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