Only 10 Days Left .... Megan Rix

But before that...

I love competitions and find it pretty hard to resist entering a writing one, even if I hardly ever win. I think they're a great way to practice writing and beat the dreaded writers block and you never know when that story might come in useful.

I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who entered some of the recent ones there's been for 'The Great Escape.'

And Congratulations go to Bethany Westoby from Hamstel Junior School who won the NPM Great Escape competition with her story entry 'Canine Confessions' and received a signed copy of the book and an author visit to her school.

And congratulations to Samuel Hart who won The Scribbler magazine competition with his story about Huxley to win a copy of the book and an mp3 player.

And congratulations to everyone who won books in the Bedford Link competition and the Your Cat giveaway.

And finally congratulations to Little M, Danilo Paganelli and Shahini Vijay who won books in the girlsheartbooks contest - and look out for the Cat Magic one coming in August.


And now...

There's only 10 days left...  to enter Young Times and Puffin's 'My Pet, My Hero' competition before it closes on the 31st July and judging by the enthusiastic response every time I mention it on a school visit there's going to be an awful lot of entries!

The prize is to name a character in my next book. I've found that what most of the children would really like is to have their pet's name in the book - or even their pet.

This week I visited Hamstel Junior School in Southend where Bethany had won a nationwide story-writing competition with a great story told from a collie puppy's POV.

I asked the 120 or so Year 6 children at Hamstel if any of them had a pet they thought was brave enough to star in my next book set during the Blitz in WW2. Most of the children thought they had. One thought his cat would jump on a burglars head,



another's grandfather had a dog called Cora who saved someone drowning in the sea and amongst the many many others one that sticks in my mind is a goldfish called Goldie who was very brave because he always swam up to the top of his bowl as soon as her mum sprinkled his food in.

Afterwards I signed books to the child and their pet and finished it off with a stamp from my trusty dog paw stamp.


There's only 10 days left and if you know of any young budding artists or writers please let them know about the competition.

                    After all, as they say, you've got to be in it to win it!

Download an entry form here: http://tinyurl.com/cr82woo

The Great Escape follows three pets, Buster, a lively Jack Russell, Tiger, a feisty Tom cat and Rose, a faithful Collie as they set of on the adventure of their lives across a country preparing for war.

Robert and Lucy Edwards love their pets more than anything; but the threat of the Second World War forces them to flee to Devon - leaving their animals behind. And as the air raid sirens sound over London, the frightened animals are sent to be put down.

Buster, Tiger and Rose make a daring escape but with danger at every turn, can the trio make it across the country as it prepares for battle - and cheat death for the second time?

My Pet, My Hero

Now we want to hear about your amazing pets! Is your pup totally fearless, can your cat climb to the highest tree - and come back down again - or does your hamster like to race around at 100mph in its ball?

Draw a picture of your pet in action, tell us why he or she is a hero and you can win the chance to name a character in Megan Rix's next book! You will also win a signed copy of The Great Escape. Download the entry form below for all the details.

Return your entry to: The Great Escape competition, Puffin Books, 80 Strand, London, WC2R0RL with your name, email address and phone number

Closing date: 31st July 2012

Terms and Conditions apply.

» Download the entry form

Megan's website is www.meganrix.com
Ruth Symes website is www.ruthsymes.com