Does your student love to write? Consider entering their work in a writing competition. Many are free for entry. Several also accept Spanish-language entries.
Writing contests (English):
Chicago Young Writers Review
Fiction, Non-fiction, or poems, 1,600 word limit
Ages: Grades K-8
Deadline: Fall, Winter, and Spring
Fee: None
Cricket Magazine
Monthly contests on a variety of topics. Winners are published in the magazine.
Fee: none
National Youth Foundation–Student Book Scholars Competition
Student book (art and text) on anti-bullying
Age: Grades K-8
Deadline: TBD (probably July 2023)
Fee: none
National Youth Foundation–Amazing Women’s Edition
Student book (art and text) on the theme of Local Heroines.
Age: Grades K-8
Deadline: January 9, 2023
Fee: none
National Youth Foundation–”I Matter”
Poetry contest on the topic of Black Lives Matter
Age: Grades K-12
Deadline: July 23, 2023
Fee: none
Engineer Girl
650-word informative essay on a prompt released in September.
Age: Grades 3-5
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Fee: Free
World Historian Student Essay Competition
Each competitor will submit an essay (1000-word limit) that addresses the issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?
Ages: K-12
Deadline: May 1
Fee: None
Hutch Magazine
1000-word story; check website for current theme.
Age: Grades 1-8
Deadline: Twice a year (current deadline is Dec. 15, 2022)
Fee: none
Stone Soup Magazine (Children’s literary magazine): Flash Fiction Contest
Monthly flash fiction contest
Age: Elementary and Junior High
Deadline: Monthly deadline
Fee: $2
Skipping Stones Magazine: Youth Award
1000 word limit on provided prompt
Age: 7-17
Deadline: Spring
Fee: $6
Write the World
Monthly competitions and flash fiction contests
Age: 13-18
Fee: none
Tadpole Press
100 word writing contest on any topic
All ages
Deadline: Spring and Fall
Fee: $10
WQED Writer’s Contest
Annual competition for young writers. Check back for 2023 competition.
Age: Grades: K-3
Deadline: March
Fee: none
Arizona Mystery Writers: Mary Ann Hutchingson Memorial Youth Story Contest
Any sort of mystery, suspense, or thriller. 2500 words or less.
Age: 9-17
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Fee: none
Writopia Lab: Worldwide Plays Festival
8-minute play
Age: 6-18
Deadline: Spring
Fee: unknown
California Young Playwrights Contest
Original, unpublished scripts
Age: youth
Deadline: TBD, July 2023
California Institute of Technology: Power to Explore Writing Challenge
Check back for 2023 contest.
Poets.org: Dear Poet Project
Letters written in response poems
Ages: Grades 5-12
Deadline: TBD, May 2023
Additional, very comprehensive list of competitions for Elementary, Middle, and High School students: https://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/young-writers-guide-to-contests
Literary Magazines where youth can publish their work:
Stone Soup Magazine (Children’s literary magazine)
Stories, memoirs, poems, art, etc.
Age: Elementary and Junior High
Deadline: Rolling basis
Fee: Varies, mostly under $5
Skipping Stones Magazine
All genres, including art.
Age: 7-17
Deadline: Rolling basis
Fee: $6
Comprehensive list of Children’s literary magazines that accept work for publication (includes Elementary, Middle school, and High School competitions: https://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/young-writers-guide
Spanish Language competitions:
Skipping Stones Magazine: Youth Award
1000 word limit on provided prompt
Accepts entries in all languages, requests english translation.
Age: 7-17
Deadline: Spring
Fee: $6
Edición del concurso literario “Escribo en español”
500 word limit
Ages: 3-5 grades
Deadline: 2022-23 competition yet to be announced
WQED Writer’s Contest
Annual competition for young writers. Check back for the 2023 competition.
Non-English submissions are accepted, but must include a translation.
Age: Grades: K-3
Deadline: March
Fee: none
Updated 09/05/2023 Created by the Mistral PTA Literacy committee. Contact mistralptaevents@gmail.com with edits, suggestions, or additions.