Rules and Resources Portico Sadie Massey Awards
Rules: Creative Writing Competition
Make sure your story is based somewhere in the North of England. The view from your window, your local street, community, or somewhere further afield.
Where is meaningful to you?
You can write fact, fiction, or a mixture of both.
Open to students in Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5. (7 - 18 years) Winners are awarded in each Key Stage.
The maximum word count for Key Stage 2 is 800 words, for Key Stage 3 it is 1000 words, and for Key Stage 4 & 5 it is 1,500 words.
Type written entries preferred but if handwritten, please ensure they are in blue or black ink (not pencil) Please ensure it is legible.
Please do not put your name or school on the entry, only on the entry form.
Entries written in the english language.
Individuality and creativity are encouraged.
Free to enter.
Enter using the online form, download an entry form and email to psma@theportico.org.uk or post to: Ruth Estevez, Project Coordinator, The Portico Library, 57 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3YH
Competition 2024 now closed
Rules: Book Review Competition
Write a review of a book of your choice and tell us why we should read it too. It can be a book you are reading for pleasure or one you are studying for exams.
Choose any type of book you want - it’s up to you! Make sure the entire book is read and reviewed as a whole. For example: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry or a graphic novel.
Open to students in Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5. (7 - 18 years) Winners are awarded in each Key Stage.
The word count for Key Stage 2 should be 300 words and for all other Key Stages, 500 words.
Typewritten entries preferred but if handwritten, please ensure they are in blue or black ink (not pencil) Please ensure it is legible.
Please do not put your name or school on the entry, only on the entry form.
Entries written in the english language.
Write your review in your own words and from your own point of view.
Multiple entries from a school on the same book will be accepted but individuality helps you stand out!
Free to enter.
Enter using the online form, download an entry form and email to psma@theportico.org.uk or post to: Ruth Estevez, Project Coordinator, The Portico Library, 57 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3YH
Competition 2024 now closed
The information you share with us will not go any further. We will use it to process the entries and collect data that can help us promote the awards to new audiences. All the information will be held in accordance with data protection guidelines. Entries are judged anonymously.
Tips, prompts and more
Top Tips for Young Writers by Jessica Andrews
Take a look at some short-story prompts for teens.
Tips on writing a book review
Download a certificate for
students.
Tips on growing the seed of your story from Children’s author, Clare Povey
Why not use these images to get those creative ideas flowing?
Or check out these fantastic resources…
The Portico is an amazing historic library in the middle of Manchester. Many significant people from the Industrial era were associates of the Library, like John Dalton and Elizabeth Gaskell.
Writing winner Isabel viewing a restored Portico Library book, Whispers from Fairyland, as part of her prize.
Photography by Lucy Cartwright
We have a special collection of historic books that cover all kinds of interesting topics, which means there’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in History, Science or Art, Folklore, Local History in the North West of England, or Children’s books.. We also have early editions of classic 19th century novels, like Frankenstein, Great Expectations and Jane Eyre, as well as books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen and Robert Louis Stevenson. Take a look on our free online catalogue.
Writing Exercises Archive | First Story
Reading resources from Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre
Black Poets Matter by Poetry By Heart
Reading Map from Read Manchester and Transport for Greater Manchester
Time Tunnellers Historical Fiction Books & Writing
A Guide to Publishing by Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and hachette UK
Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome
Travel back in time to meet some of the most amazing people who used The Portico Library! A famous writer, a two-time prime minister, a world renowned scientist and a man obsessed with collecting words each feature in their own exciting adventure, accompanied by a 21st century, time travelling kid!
Previous winners of The Portico Sadie Massey Awards had their entries published in this book, alongside the stories based on some of Manchester's local heroes and heroines!
Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome is produced by Seven Arches Publishing. The Portico Library is thrilled to feature in their Time Travellers series, which explores historical subjects through exciting stories for young people.
To purchase your copy click here.