Could you be the next children’s literature superstar? Win a publishing contract worth £5,000

Entry for The Montegrappa Scholastic Prize for New Children’s Writing, in association with The London Book Fair, literary agency LBA Books and The Independent, is now open, so if you’re an undiscovered writer this is the competition for you.

We are looking for an outstanding new author for seven to 12 year olds.

The winner will receive the offer of a publishing contract worth £5,000 from Scholastic, home of The Hunger Games, Tom Gates and Horrible Histories, as well as literary agent representation with LBA Books.

The prize also includes a weekend for two in Italy to visit the home of Montegrappa, where the winner will be presented with one of the company’s prestigious handmade pens.

Competition closes at 17:00 (BST) on Monday 2 June 2014. Entry is online only. The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. Entrants: Must be 18 or over on the closing date for entries. Must be unagented. Must not have had a book previously published (self-publishing excluded). Must not be entered for any other current writing competition.

Closing date for entries is 2 June 2014. Visitwww.scholastic.co.uk/montegrappaprize to submit your entry and find out more.