Teen Writing Contests

Keshawn Dodds Writing Contest

Local author Keshawn Dodds will be holding an essay contest for all Western Massachusetts Youth. The topic of the contest is: “How are you going to make the world a better place for the next generation of leaders?” The winner of the contest will win a free copy of Who's On My Side? The Story of Kalen Brown, and also a copy of, Menzuo in the Calling of the Sun Prince.

The rules to the contest are as follows:

1. All contestants must be between the ages of 10 – 18 years old.

2. Each essay MUST be at least one (1) page.

3. Each essay must reflect the contestant's own writing and original thinking.

4. Only one (1) essay may be submitted by each contestant.

5. All essays MUST be emailed to keshawndodds@gmail.com

6. Each essay must include the essay title, student's name, school's name and city and state.

All essays will be read by Mr. Dodds and the cast of the upcoming play, Who's On My Side? The winner will be announced on May 12, 2012 during the debut of the play. Also, the winning essay will be posted on Mr. Dodd's blog: www.keshawndodds.blogspot.com.

Student Publishing Contest

Calling all student editors, writers and reporters! Weekly Reader's Student Publishing Contest honors the nation's best nonfiction writing by kids in grades 3 to 12. Individual pieces as well as print and online student publications are eligible. Prizes include a trip to Washington, D.C., publication of the winning students' work on weeklyreader.com, and more! It's free to enter. Entries are now open, and the deadline is March 16, 2012. Find out more...

figment - Write Yourself In

Figment is a free online community for teens and young adults to create, discover, and share new reading and writing. Users can read amateur and professional content, engage with their favorite authors, discuss literature with their peers, and create their own unfiltered writing to share across web and mobile platforms. Figment regularly offers writing contests with prizes ranging from gift certificates to hundreds of dollars; typically participants write a story based on a posted prompt, with 10-15 finalists seeing their stories posted on the Figment page before a prize winner is chosen.

Fire Escape Writing Contest

Do you love to weave words together?
Were you and/or one or both of your birth parents born in another country? (or Puerto Rico)
Do you live in the United States or Canada now?
Are you 13-19 years old?
If you answered yes to ALL of the questions above, YOU qualify to enter the Fire Escape Writing Contests.
Click here for more information.

Teen Ink Environmental Solutions Contest

No Deadline: Entries Accepted Throughout Year

Do you have a creative plan to stop pollution? Have you found a way to encourage recycling in your neighborhood? Share your idea to solve an environmental problem or describe a current solution.

Every month one teen is honored for the best Environmental Solutions article. Essays are published in Teen Ink magazine and contest winners receive $25 and a copy of the magazine featuring their environmental solution. For contest guidelines and submission requirements, visit the Teen Ink contest page.

Teen Magazines & Writing Opportunities

Merlyn's Pen

Fiction, essays & poems by America's teens.

Teen Ink

Teen Ink is a monthly print magazine , website, and a book series all written by teens for teens.

The Weekly Reader

Writing and other contests for teens. Requires free registration.

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards offer early recognition of creative teenagers and scholarship opportunities for graduating high-school seniors. The Awards are national in scope and administered by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

Misfits Writing Contest

Writing contest for science fiction and horror fans.

 

Do you know of any other teen writing contests? If so, let us know and we'll add them to this page. Contact the webmaster or the Young Adult librarian.

For more information on library programs for teens, call Martha at 413-263-6828, ext. 425, or e-mail mcoons@springfieldlibrary.org.

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