The final chapter of Write a Book in a Day 2026
2026-10-02
The 2026 Write a Book in a Day competition has officially wrapped, and what a year it has been!
Together, participants have raised over $1.26 million for childhood cancer research, turning 12 hours of creativity, teamwork and storytelling into vital support for research that could help change the future for children with cancer.
The Online Library, comprising every book submitted for judging, is now live. You can view it here.
A nationwide effort
This year, 18,050 writers took part across 2,473 teams, representing 577 schools and writing groups around Australia.
Schools once again embraced the challenge in a big way. Box Hill High School in Victoria entered 58 teams, followed by Adelaide High School in South Australia with 48 teams and Brighton Secondary School in South Australia with 46 teams.
In total, 17 schools entered 20 or more teams, showing just how enthusiastically students and school communities got behind the challenge!
And we were thrilled to welcome new participants from across the country, including Haileybury Rendall School in Berrimah, Northern Territory, which took part in Write a Book in a Day for the very first time.
Creativity with a purpose
One of the things that makes Write a Book in a Day so special is seeing the creativity that each team brings to the challenge.
Every year, teams find their own ways to make their fundraising part of the story. This year, Thomas Hassell Anglican School got particularly creative, using coins to spell out the word ‘book’ as part of their fundraising efforts.
There were also six open teams, giving individuals and participants outside school communities the opportunity to take part and join the nationwide writing community.
Every word makes a difference
The funds raised through the competition help support childhood cancer research, contributing to work that aims to improve treatments and outcomes for children and young people with cancer.
Behind the fundraising total are thousands of individual acts of generosity – together these efforts have added up to over $1.26 million raised in 2026. That is the power of a community coming together.
To every student, teacher, coordinator, school, writing group, author, reader and supporter who helped make Write a Book in a Day 2026 possible – thank you. Together we showed what can happen when thousands of people use their creativity for a cause that matters.
Winners will be announced on 12 November.