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.