Good stuff. Obvious Willy Wonka associations of course. Not sure I really buy the romance subplot. Would have liked to get to know the other contestants better, but that would have added unnecessary length.

Can't help but see the characterization of the children's book author who deeply cares for children being a statement about the wizard school lady being exactly the opposite, although I don't know if that's intentional. Might just be my own biases though.