Writing Contests and Publications

Resources

Writing Contests and Publications

Are you looking to submit your work to contests or publications? Then check out this list curated for YWP-aged students (13-19). 

 

[Art Credit: "Do you see my struggles" by Amelia_V, YWP]

Created by YWP Alumni Advisor Sam Aikman in October 2024.

Poetry Out Loud

  • A poetry memorization and recitation competition for high schoolers. Scholarships for national winners up to $20,000. 

Competitions occur from November to May every year. 

 

Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest

  • Submit a 100-word short story. For writers of all ages and from all over the world. Win up to $2,000 and publication. 

Due every November 30th and April 30th. 

 

Frontier Poetry Portrait Prize

  • This contest invites emerging writers to submit a “portrait poem.” Win up to $3,000 and publication. 

Deadline December 15th, 2024. 

 

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

  • For students in grades 7-12 and age 13 or older. The twenty-eight categories for submissions include flash fiction, journalism, poetry, personal essays, science fiction, and many more including art categories. Offering publication, generous scholarships, and a network with connections to thousands of other creative young people. 

Deadlines vary by region but the Vermont regional deadline is December 17th. 

 

Just Poetry Competition

  • For high school students to submit a poem of 20 lines or less. Possibility for publication and cash prizes every quarter. 

Submissions are accepted on a quarterly basis. The upcoming deadline is December 31st for the Winter issue. 

 

Story Shares Story Competition

  • Submit a story of 1,000 to 15,000 words which is “easy to read and hard to put down.” Submit to one of five categories including “for teens by teens.” Win up to a $5,000 prize. 

Due January 13th, 2025. 

 

Student Writing Awards NCTE 

  • “Write a piece about how literature heals.” For sophomores and juniors in high school. A teacher needs to nominate you and submit your work. The submission should be creative but can be any kind of writing. 

Due February 15th, 2025. 

 

SPJ/JEA High School Writing Contest

  • For high schoolers in the USA to submit a short essay on a topic which is TBA. Winners will receive cash awards of up to $1,000. 

Due February 19th, 2025.

 

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

  • Submit a funny poem of up to 250 lines for the chance to win up to $2,000. 

Due April 1st, 2025. 

 

The New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights (scroll down to the right section) 

  • For students 19 years old or younger. Submit a play script 10-40 minutes in length (10 page minimum). The winner’s play will be published and they will receive a cash prize. 

Due May 1st, 2025. 

 

Ocean Awareness Contest

  • Students ages 11-18 can submit a creative work related to the theme “Connections to Nature.” Submissions may be creative writing, film, a performance recording, and more. 

Deadline June 9th, 2025. 

 

World Historian Student Essay Competition

  • For students ages 15-18. Submit an essay that addresses a specific topic related to the celebration of the study of history (topic TBA). 

Submissions open in July 2025. 

 

The Young Arts Writing Competition

  • Submit work from five writing categories: fiction, play or script, poetry, spoken word, and nonfiction. Open to students ages 15-18 who live in the US. 

Submissions open in July 2025. 

 

Kenyon Review

  • A contest for publication and payment for short fiction, essays, flash fiction, poetry, and excerpts from larger works. 

Issues are published every fall and summer— check regularly for updates. 

 

Teen Ink 

  • A national teen (ages 13-19) magazine that publishes creative writing of any kind, opinion pieces, essays, photos, and videos.  

Submit anytime. Also, check out their “contests” page for more specific and timely submissions.

 

The Concord Review

  • For high school students to submit a history paper (5,000-10,000 words) for publication in a quarterly journal. 

Submit on a rolling basis. 

 

The American Library of Poetry Contest

  • For students in the USA who are in grades 3-12. Submit a poem of up to 20 lines.  

    Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis with an annual April 30th reset date. 

 

The Young Poets Network

  • A platform for student poets up to age 25. 

    Updated regularly with challenges and contests. 

 

[Do you know of a contest or publication that is not included here? Message Love to write to have it added!]