The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development will launch its third annual Arabic short story competition this month.
This year the required length and content of the stories has been modified to enable more people to enter.
The competition will have two categories with writers creating short stories aimed at two age groups: seven to nine and 10 to 15. The first category will be limited to 2,400 words; the second to 4,000 words.
Stories should be original, unpublished content, and should not have been previously entered into a competition.
Entries "should be aiming at bringing out culture, ethical issues or self improvement", said Fatima al Nusoor, the vice president of the social research department at the ministry.
"We want them to send the message without a preaching style."
While the competition is open to all, Ms al Nusoor said: "Schools and colleges from all around the UAE can participate in this competition."
Three prizes will be awarded in each category.
The first prize is Dh20,000, second prize is Dh15,000 and third prize is Dh10,000.
Also, there will be 10 Dh5,000 prizes awarded for worthy works.
"The contest aims to provide opportunity for young innovators," said Khalifa Buamim, the director of government communications for the ministry.
The deadline for entries is March 30. Writers can submit their manuscripts online at www.mcycd.ae.