A new chapter awaits as Write a Book in a Day 2026 begins

1 May 2026 marks the launch of The Kids’ Cancer Project’s 'Write a Book in a Day’, regarded as Australia’s most inspiring writing challenge for schools and writing groups, all while raising vital funds for childhood cancer research. 

Groups of 5-10 writers (school or open teams), write, illustrate and publish a book in 12 hours, based on a stimulus of five parameters.  

These creations will then be judged by a panel comprising some of Australia’s best children’s authors and graded accordingly, with the winning teams announced in November. 

Write a Book in a Day 2026 will build on a historic 2025 campaign, which raised over $1.2 million for kids’ cancer research. That sum is the equivalent of what it costs to deliver at least five new clinical trials across Australia, giving up to 150 children access to cutting-edge therapies they otherwise couldn’t receive.   

It speaks to the impact kids in the classroom are making for their counterparts in the oncology ward. 

Upon completion of the competition, the books are then shared with children undergoing treatment in various hospitals across the country, via the Online Library. Write a Book in a Day launched a Cover Exhibition late last year, already showing in a number of NSW hospitals. 

The key dates for Write a Book in a Day are listed below: 

• 1 June-30 September: Choose any day to write 
• 30 September: Last day to fundraise 

In order to be eligible for judging, teams are required to pay an entry fee of $77 (inc. GST) per team, plus raise a minimum of $240 in sponsorship.  

Prizes will be awarded to both national and state winners.

“Write a Book in a Day is a crucial campaign for The Kids’ Cancer Project, encouraging children to create something great, while providing our researchers with the tools they need to change the story for kids with cancer," says The Kids' Cancer Project CEO, Owen Finegan.

"2025 was a resounding success. We’re looking forward to writing our next chapter in 2026 as we set our sights on a $1.4 million target.”