Tips and resources for writing a short story bursting with empathy
To mark the return of Inclusive Voices, our short-story and poetry competition, we're giving you all the tools you need to write with our core theme: empathy.
The practice of fully understanding another's emotional world can be challenging, let alone turning it into a story.
Thankfully, we've partnered with EmpathyLab, whose mission is to grow an empathy-led generation of young people. Ambassador Jion Sheibani has compiled recipes for a great, empathy-filled story:
To start, you'll need to draw on your senses to spot emotions in others. What emotions do you read on someone else's face when you look at them?
When you listen to real-life conversations, what do you notice in the dialogue?
From there, we can add ingredients to bring a story to life:
Is there a problem or struggle you notice within someone close to you that has become too big to ignore? Draw on your response to their struggle - how might it feel to face their challenge? If you can unlock that, great, you're beginning your journey to writing with empathy - keep going!
Stir in emotions and watch how the situation changes in front of your eyes - what do you notice about the characters as they develop? This is empathy in motion.
We've got recipes, videos and more ready on our resources page to inspire your best writing yet.
Head to the links below to view or download all the resources you need and unlock some inspiration for your own inclusive short story:
Our 2026 competition, Inclusive Voices, marks the National Year of Reading. Entrants are invited to submit an empathy-boosting story or poem that explores life through someone else’s eyes and experiences, fostering a sense of purpose and shared understanding.
Have your voice heard
Inclusive Voices welcomes submissions from people of all ages and abilities across the UK, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The competition is designed to make everyone feel included and appreciated, encouraging budding writers, established creatives, and anyone passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices to take part.
How to enter
The competition starts on 4th June and closes on 13th September 2026. There are four age categories – Under 11s, 12 to 17 years, 18 to 25 years, and 26 years and over. Entries can be either an empathy-boosting story or a poem that explores life from another person’s perspective. Submissions may be written, audio, or video formats, and should be no more than 550 words.
First, second, and third-place prizes will be awarded in each age category, with prizes generously provided by partner organisations, including publisher Nosy Crow, who, in partnership with XigXag, are donating children’s audiobook prizes. Voxblock are donating audiobook players for the first-place winners in the children’s age categories.
Each first-prize winner will have the opportunity to visit our recording studio in Buckinghamshire to record their entry.
Winning stories will be included in the Best Inclusive Voices print book and recorded as an audiobook. Winners will be invited to attend a prize-giving event at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre during the Calibre Conversations Live On-Stage event on 15th October 2026.
Full prize information for all age categories is available in the competition’s Terms and Conditions: Inclusive Voices - Calibre Audio
Free Online Writing Workshop
To support and inspire school-age writers entering the competition, we're delighted that Inclusive Voices judge A. M. Dassu will be running a free online writing workshop on 6th July. Her practical tips and advice will help participants connect their entries to the theme of empathy. Sign up here: A Different Perspective with author A.M. Dassu Tickets, Monday 6 July • 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite