Writing Contests for Young Writers
Updated September 28, 2020
View Publications for Young Writers
Where young writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. Some publish only young writers, some publish all ages for young readers. For specific submission guidelines, visit the publication's website. Ages can include elementary, teen, or early college. This is an ad-free resource: publications and writing contests listed here have not paid to be included. This guide is maintained by Editor Denise Hill, a teacher who loves to encourage young writers.
Safety Matters! We expect sites listed in this guide to adhere to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
This is a select list of contests from reputable sources. There are many contests that charge fees, but for this resource, I have sought contests which mean to recognize and encourage young writers and do not charge reading or entry fees. Of those listed that do charge a fee, some provide a publication subscription in return as they are trying to gain new readers; that seems fair and the publishers are up front about it.
Please avoid contests that tell you you've won and then want you to purchase expensive copies of the book in which you have been published. These types of "scam" contests publish hundreds, even thousands of entrants and profit greatly from the book sales. These contests take advantage of young writers and inexperienced writers of all ages.
Also see the NCTE Guidelines for Contests, which is helpful for contest organizers who want to reach out to K-12 students and for teachers assessing the legitimacy of contests for their students.
Contest Deadlines: I make every effort to update the contest list monthly and update deadline dates as the contest sponsors update them on their websites. Contest dates may change without anyone notifying me, so users of this guide should check the contest website for the most accurate information. If a previous year's date is noted here, then the contest sponsor may not have updated their website yet, but they will likely be running the contest again. Please check back here or the contest sponsor's site if you are interested in that contest.
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November - December
The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Grades 7-12 during the current school year
Deadline: Varies by Region - Enter zip code to find deadline
US Forest Service
"Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors"
Art, Writing, Photography, Videography, Music
Ages 19 and under
Manning Trust Student Poetry Contest
National Federation of State Poetry Societies
Grades 6-12
Each participating state conducts its own contest with deadline.
Each partiucipating state sends its top entrants to the national contest.
Click here for a list of participating states.
New York Times
Ages 13-19
Various contests with varying deadlines
Editorial Cartoon Contest, Civil Conversation Challenge, Review Contest, Year in Rap Contest, Vocabulary Video Contest, Editorial Contest, Found Poetry Contest, Summer Reading Contest
Six Word Memoirs
Six Words hold monthly contests for which writers must respond to a prompt in exactly six words. May 2020 Six Words is collaborating with Time for Kids.
Stone Soup
Ages 14 and under
Weekly Flash Fiction Contest based on the Monday Daily Creativity Prompt.
Write the World
WtW holds monthly contests based on an idea or genre (poetry, fantasy, sports journalims, ficiton, etc.). For young writers 13-18 years old.
YES! Magazine
National Student Quarterly Writing Competition
Based on essay from YES! Magazine and writing prompt.
Several age categories Grade 5 - Adult Learner
Biannual deadlines set for each semester
VSA Playwright Discovery Competition
Grades 6-12 / Ages 11-18
Ten-minute play, screenplay, or music theater exploring the disability experience
Written by young writers with disabilities and colllaborative groups that include students with disabilities
Deadline: January 2, 2020
Columbus State University
The Carson McCullars Literary Award
Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Expository Essay, Playwriting, Screenwriting
High School Age Category
Deadline: January 3, 2020
The Writing Conference
Theme-based contest for poetry, narrative, and essay.
Grades K-12
Deadline: On hiatus for 2019-2020 school year.
National Youth Foundation
Amazing Women Writing Contest
Theme: Local Heroines
Grades K-8
Deadline: January 8, 2021
Ringling College of Art and Design
High School Creative Writing Contest
High School Age Writers
Deadline: January 15, 2020
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Sponsored by Fidelity Investments
Grades 9-12
Deadline: January 17, 2020 postmark
Columbia College Chicago
Young Authors Writing Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
High School Age Writers
Deadline: January 31, 2020
The Telling Room
Themed Poetry and Fiction
Grades 6-12 / Ages 11-18
For Maine Residents only
Deadline: January 31, 2020
Arizona Mystery Writers
Mary Ann Hutchison Memorial Story Contest for Youths
Ages 9-16
Deadline: February 1, 2020
Bluefire 1000-word Story Contest
Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation
Grades 6-12
Deadline: February 1, 2020
Engineer Girl Writing Contest
Fiction in which the main character is a female who uses engineering skills to solve a problem.
Grades 3-12
Deadline: February 1, 2020
Gannon University
High School Poetry Contest
Grades 9-12
Deadline: February 1, 2020
Holocaust Art and Writing Contest
Chapman University
Grades Middle and High School
Deadline: Postmark February 3, 2020 or by February 5, 2020 for digital submissions
North Carolina Poetry Society
Student Poetry Contest
Grades 3-College Undergraduate
North Carolina Residents Only
Deadline: February 1, 2020
Worldwide Plays Festival Competition
Writopia Lab
8-minute Play
Grades 1-12
Deadline: February 3, 2020
Skipping Stones Asian Celebration Haiku Contest
Ages 7-18
Deadline: February 7, 2020
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Davidson Institute, Reno, NV
Ages 18 and under as of Oct. 1, 2020
For completion of a significant work in STEM or Humanities categories
Deadline: February 12, 2020
NCTE Achievement Awards for Superior Writing
For Juniors in the current academic school year
Students must be nominated by their school's English Department
Deadline: February 14, 2020
fingers comma toes
National Flash Fiction Day Youth Competition
All ages
Deadline: February 15, 2020
NCTE Promising Young Writers Program
For 8th grade students in the current academic year
Students must be nominated by a school committee or department
Deadline: February 15, 2020
West Chester University
Several contests for undergraduate college/university.
Deadline: February 15, 2020
NASA Scientist for a Day Essay Contest
Grades 5-12
Deadline: February 20, 2020
Austin Poets Di-Verse-City Anthology
Adult and Youth Categories
Deadline: February 28, 2020
Hunger Mountain
International Young Writers Prize
Open to High School writers worldwide
Dealdine: March 1, 2020
Hunger Mountain
Katherine Paterson Prize for YA and Children's Writing
Young Adult (YA); Middle Grade (MG); Picture Book or Writing for Young Children
Deadline: March 1, 2020
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society
University of Central Florida
Middle & High School Writing Contest
Story, Poem, Essay
Deadline: March 1, 2020
Outdoor Writers Association of America
Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards
Grades 6-8 or 9-12
For outdoor-oriented works.
Deadline: March 1, 2020
American Society of Human Genetics
DNA Day Essay Contest
Grades 9-12
Deadline: March 4, 2020
Carl Sandburg Student Poetry Contest
Grades 3-12
Deadline: March 9, 2020
It's All Write! Teen Writing Contest
Ann Arbor District Library
Flash Fiction and Short Story Grades 6-12
Deadline: March 9, 2020
The Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival Competition
Original Plays or Musicals on any subject
Ages 9-19
Deadline: March 15, 2020
Young Writers of Canada
Annual Young Writers Creative Writing Contest
Ages 5-18
Deadline: March 15, 2020
The Haiku Society of America
Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition
Grades 7-12
Deadline: March 23, 2020
The Legacy Project
"Listen to a Life" Writing Contest
Ages 8-18
Deadline: March 27, 2020
ukiaHaiku Festival
Haiku Contest
All Ages
No Fee (except for Adult Contemporary Haiku)
Deadline: On hiatus for 2020.
The website includes helpful guidelines for writing haiku.
Radiant Peace Education Awards
Essay, Art, Video, Projects
Grades 1-12
Deadline: Postmark March 26, 2020
The Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge
Ages 14-18 or 19-29
Deadline: On hiatus for the 2019-2020 school year.
The Caterpillar
Best Poem for Children Contest
This contest is actually for adults writing for readers ages 7-11(ish).
Deadline: March 31, 2020
Princeton University
10-Minute Play Contest
Grades 11and 12 in the current school year
Deadline: March 31, 2020
Sarah Mook Poetry Prize
Grades K-12
Deadline: March 31, 2020
Save the Earth Poetry Prize
The Weeden Foundation
American High School Students
Grades 11 and 12
Deadline: February 1 - March 31 *On sabbatical for 2019 to publish an antholgy of past submissions.
The Adroit Journal
Prizes for Poetry and Prose
Open to Secondary and Undergraduate Students
Fee Waiver Request Form available
Deadline: April 1, 2020
Kay Snow Student Writing Contest
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
Grades 1-12 and College
Deadline: April 2, 2020
Kay Snow YA Writing Contest
Roland Smith Award for YA and Middle Grade Fiction
Written by adults for young adult or middle grade readers.
Deadline: April 2, 2020
United States Institute for Peace
High School Essay Contest
Deadline: April 6, 2020
Signet Classics (Penguin)
Student Scholarship Essay Contest
Grades 11 and 12
Deadline: Postmark April 15, 2020; Received by April 22, 2020
We the Students Essay Contest
Bill of Rights Institute
Ages 14-19
Deadline: April 15, 2020
The Claudia Ann Seaman Poetry Award
The Community Foundation of Dutchess County and Polyphony Lit
Grades 9-12
Deadline: Received by April 30, 2020
Dear Poet Project
Grades 5-12
Letters written in response to poets reading poems
Select letters will be published online; Select letters will receive a response
Deadline: April 30, 2019
Lake Superior State University Short Story Prize
Genre: Historical Fiction
Open to high school age writers
Deadline: On hiatus for the 2019-2020 school year
The Geek Partnership Society
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural and Alternate History Fiction
Poetry, Fiction, Graphic Novel
Various age categories (K-Adult)
Deadline: May 1, 2020
The Junebug Journal
Prose, Poetry, Visual Art, Photography, Culinary Arts, Performing Arts, Videography
High School Artists Ages 13-19
Deadline: May 1, 2020
New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights
YouthPLAYS
Non-musical, one-act play suitable for HS audience
Written by Playwrights 19 years and under
Deadline: May 1, 2020
Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center
Holocaust Writing, Art and Film Contest
Open to grades 5-12 in WA, OR, ID, AK
Deadline: May 1, 2020
World Historian Student Essay Competition
World History Association
Grades K-12
Deadline: May 1, 2020
Scripts for Short Plays for Lower Elementary School Actors
YouthPLAYS
Written by Playwrights 20 years and older
Target Performers Grades K-2
Deadline: May 1, 2020
William Faulkner - William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition
Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society
Category for Short Story by a High School Student
Deadline: May 15, 2019
Humane Education Network
A Voice for Animals
Essay Contest for 14-15 year olds
Action Project for 16-18 year olds
Video, Essay with Photo, Essay submissions accepted
Deadeline: May 31, 2020
California Young Playwrights Contest
Open to residents of California only.
Ages Under 19 as of June 1
Deadline: June 1, 2021
Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest
Open to students studying in Cananda and Canadian students studying abroad.
High School / Undergraduate / Graduate Categories
2020 Essay Contest – "The Ideas of Milton Friedman: Exploring the Connections between Economic Freedom and other Freedoms or Aspects of the Human Condition"
Deadline: June 1, 2020
Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest
Ages High School / College / Graduate School
Topic changes each year
Deadline: June 1, 2020
Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize
State University of New York
Only undergraduates enrolled full-time in American and Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year are eligible
Deadline: June 1, 2020
Writing for Peace
Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction that explores social, political, and environmental pressures, and universal themes
Ages 13-19
Deadline: June 1, 2020
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Art, Poetry, Prose, Film, Music
Ages 11-18
Deadline: June 15, 2020
Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest
Theme: Kindness
Ages 25 and under
Deadline: June 15, 2020
Skipping Stones Youth Honors Award
Promoting Multicultural Awareness, International Understanding and Nature Appreciation
Original Writing and Art
Ages 7-17
Deadline: June 25, 2020
Barbara Mandigo Kelly Peace Poetry Award
Ages: Adult; Youth (13-18); Youth (12 and under)
No fee for 12 and under.
Deadline: Postmark July 1, 2020
NCTE Excellence in Student Literary Magazines
Open to all accredited middle and secondary schools (US, CA, VI, US schools abroad)
Deadline: Entries accepted May 1 - July 1, 2020
Gigantic Sequins: Teen Sequins
Poetry
Ages 14-18
Deadline: July 12, 2020
National Youth Foundation
Student Book Scholars
Theme: Anti-Bullying
Grades K-8
Deadline: July 15, 2020
Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award
The Poetry Society
Ages 11-17
Deadline: July 31, 2020
The Lincoln Forum
Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest
Specific topic posted on the website.
For full-time college/university students.
Deadline: Postmark July 31, 2020
Young Writers of Canada
Annual Open All Ages Poetry Contest
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Smarty Pants Magazine
Create-a-Sea-Creature Art Contest
Ages 5-12
Open to US and Canada residents only.
Deadline: August 31, 2020
Stone Soup Book Contest
Fiction, Memoir, Poetry Manuscript
Ages Under 14
Deadline: August 10, 2020
There is a $15 entry fee for this contest.
William Faulkner Literary Competition
Student Short Story Category
Deadline: August 31, 2020
The Critical Junior Poet's Award
The Critical Pass Review
Ages 13-18
Deadline: September 1, 2020
Epiphany Breakout 8 Writers Prize
Prose, Poetry Manuscripts
Ages College Undergraduate or Graduate
Deadline: September 15, 2020
Transitions Abroad Travel Contest
Student Writing Contest
Currently enrolled undergrad and grad students & recent grads.
Deadline: On hiatus until 2020
Embracing Our Differences
Art Exhibit and Quote Contest
For all ages
Deadline: October 7, 2020
National YoungArts Foundation
Ages 15-18
Various Arts Categories
Receive up to $10k + educational support
Applications Open June 1 - October 8, 2020
American Geosciences Institute
Earth Science Week Essay Contest
Theme: "Finding 'Art' in Earth"
Grades 6-9
Deadline: October 16, 2020
VFW Voice of Democracy
Audio Essay Competition
Grades 9-12
Deadline: October 31, 2020
Hollins University
Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest
For High School Sophomore and Junior Girls
Deadline: October 31, 2019
Bennington College
Young Writers Competition
Grades 10-12
Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction
Deadline: November 1, 2020
Ethical ELA
Rhyme and Rhythm: An Anthology of High School Sports Poems
Edited by Dr. Sarah J. Donovan
Written for readers ages 12-18
Form: Topical, progressive, thematic, and very entertaining in fiction, speculative fiction, and nonfiction/memoir; any form (haiku, sijo, sonnet, free verse, sestina, etc.); lyric or narrative.
Deadline: November 1, 2020
Ohio Northern University
Single Poem Broadside Contest
Open to all current juniors and seniors in high school.
Prize includes Talent Award upon acceptance at ONU.
Deadline: November 1, 2019
Lions International
Essay Contest: "Journey of Peace"
Ages 11, 12, 13 years old on November 15, 2020
Open to students who are considered visually impaired according to their national guidelines.
Young Writers of Canada
Young Writers Poetry Contest
Ages 5-18
French & English entries accepted
Deadline: November 15, 2019
Rachel Carson Sense of the Wild Contest
Poetry and Prose w/ or w/o Photograph
Intergenerational Team of two or more only
Deadline: November 16, 2020
Rattle Young Poets Anthology
Open Call for Submissions
Ages 15 or younger
Deadline: November 16, 2020
Princeton University
Leonard Milberg '53 Secondary School Poetry Prize
Any student who is in the eleventh grade in the academic year is eligible.
Deadline: November 29, 2019
Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
The Kenyon Review
High School Sophomores and Juniors
Award: First place: Full scholarship to the Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop and publication. Second and third place: Publication.
Deadline: November 1 - 30, 2020
NaNoWriMo's Young Writers Program
National Novel Writing Month
November 1 - 30, 2020
International Bipolar Foundation
High School Essay Contest
Ages 13-29
Deadline: November 30, 2019
New prompt will be announced September 2020.
Piedmont Institute of Communication, Art and Music
Emerging Writers Contets
High School and Community College Students
All styles, forms, genre under 5000 words
Deadline: December 1, 2019
Saint Mary's College
River of Words Poetry and Art Contest
Grades K-12 (Ages 5-19)
Deadline: December 1, 2020
Smith College
The Poetry Center High School Prize
An annual prize for sophomore & junior girls in New England
Deadline: September 1 - December 1, 2019
Barbara Pym Society
Ellen J. Miller Memorial Short Story Contest
Entries must prominently feature one or more characters from Barbara Pym’s published novels.
Deadline: December 2, 2019
Radiant Peace Education Awards
Essay, Art
Grades 1-8
Deadline: December 4, 2019
Note: This contest is run twice each year. See entry under April.
Interlochen Arts Academy
Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Screenplays, Drama, Hybrid Genre
Grades 8-11
Deadline: December 6, 2019
The Living Rainforest
International Schools Essay Competition and Debate
Ages Primary and Secondary School Categories
Deadline: December 20, 2019
Teachers must register class of students.
Registration opens in September.
Rider University
Annual High School Writing Contest
Essay, Fiction, Poetry
Deadline: December 20, 2019
Poetry Society of America
Louise Lois / Emily R. Bourne Student Award
Teacher/Administrator Nominated unpublished poem by 9-12 grade student.
Deadline: Postmark October 1-December 23, 2019
The National WWII Museum Essay Contest
Topic changes each year
Middle School and High School Students
Deadline: December 27, 2019
The Fire Scholarship Contest
Essay: Prompt using video examples on topic of Free Speech
Grades High School Juniors & Seniors
Deadline: December 31, 2019
The Fitzgerald Museum
Fiction, Poetry, Multi-Genre
High School and College Students
Deadline: September 1 - December 31, 2020
The Lyric Magazine
Poetry Contest
Undergraduate Students – USA and Canada
Deadline: Postmark December 31, 2019
The Society of Classical Poets
Poetry Competition
High School Students
Deadline: December 31, 2019
VOYA
Poetry Competition
Ages 12-18
Must be submitted by librarians, teachers, and other professionals working with youth.
Deadline: December 31, 2019
Looking for a list of publications that publish young writers? Check out our guide here.
The NewPages Young Writers Guide to Contests is a free and ad-free resource for anyone looking for writing contests for teens, writing contests for high school students, scholastic writing contests, writing contests for middle school students, writing contests for kids, high school writing contests, writing contests for elementary students, creative writing contests for high school students, poetry contests for high school students.
