UAEBbY launches 2025 creative writing competition

Annual initiative

This annual competition is part of the "Read, Dream, Create" campaign, launched by the board in 2013 to strengthen the relationship between children and books, promote reading and literary creativity within the UAE community, and offer young creatives the opportunity to develop their abilities and enter the fields of literature and publishing.

Unique opportunity

Marwa Al-Aqroubi, Chairwoman of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, emphasized that the creative writing competition represents a unique opportunity for children and youth to develop their literary imagination and enhance their skills in expression and writing in Arabic. She noted that creative writing is not just a linguistic skill, but also a tool for developing critical thinking and boosting self-confidence.

Supporting young creatives

Al-Aqroubi explained that the competition aims not only to discover talents but also to refine and develop them by providing a platform for children and youth to showcase their literary creations. Some previous participants have turned their passion for writing into actual literary projects, demonstrating the positive impact of the competition.

Inspiring new experiences

The Chairwoman stressed that the "Read, Dream, Create" campaign aims to enhance the role of books in the lives of children and youth, inspiring them to explore new experiences in the world of literature. She invited all children and youth in the UAE to participate in the competition and seize this opportunity to unleash their imagination and literary skills.

Submission details

The submission period will remain open until July 31, 2025. Stories must be written in Arabic and be the original work of the author, with the option to include illustrations. Texts should be submitted in Microsoft Word format, along with the electronic form available on the "Read, Dream, Create" campaign website.

Age categories and prizes

Participants will be divided into three age categories: 6 to 9 years, 10 to 12 years, and 13 to 18 years. Each category winner will receive a cash prize of 3,000 AED, along with a collection of valuable books and a certificate of appreciation. Winning stories will also be published on the campaign's website.

Impact of the competition

Since its inception, the competition has successfully motivated hundreds of children and youth to develop their writing and language skills, encouraging them to continue reading and engaging in literary creativity, paving the way for some young creators to enter the publishing world and turn their texts into printed editions.