PAST CONTESTS – Teenager: In Writing

Contests

Illustration of two side of a face, one in colors, one in b/w

PAST CONTESTS – Teenager: In Writing

What does it mean to be a teenager in America in 2025? Due: Feb.28, 2025

["Two Worlds" by Marah Cain, YWP Archive]


THE CHALLENGE: In the genre of your choice, write about what it means to be a teenager in America in 2025. Responses can be literal or metaphoric, fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose. Take the challenge wherever you like. You might consider the following questions, but don't limit yourself to them. How would you describe the daily life of a teenager, yourself or a fictional character? When and where do you most feel like your true self? What brings you joy? Where do you find inspiration? What is your greatest challenge and how will you address it? What keeps you awake at night? What do you hope for – for yourself, your country, your planet? What message so you want adults to hear?


CONTEST DETAILS: 

  • Open to teens, 13-19, who have a YWP account. (It's free to join!)
  • ​Must be original work and not published elsewhere. No AI.
  • No limit to number of submissions
  • Prizes: Six cash prizes ($50 each) in two categories: writing and visual art
  • Prize winners and honorable mentions will be published in the March issue of The Voice.
  • Contest deadline: Feb. 28, 2025

Questions? Contact Susan Reid, YWP Executive Director: Reid@YWP on the site, or by email: sreid@youngwritersproject.org

Go to the Visual Art Contest

Submissions

  • Margins

    Stay in the margins

    Don’t speak up, stay quiet, the adults are talking

    What are we supposed to do?

    Stay in the margins

    Be yourself, but not if society doesn’t like it

  • The Binary Code

    The binary code is plastered everywhere

    from the billboard of the new romance movie

    to the books that have shaped our history. 

     

    The binary code is ingrained in our heads

    as we see the magazines, 

  • I write for the broken

    I would never admit it, but

    I’m broken. I have lived through a hell you only see in your nightmares. I was born into a world of agony and have stayed silent on the darkest of nights.

     

  • Just Like Them

    We'll lie on the floor 

    You're wearing the yellow hat I gave you

    I'm wearing pajamas

    We'll facetime and pretend 

    We're not just like them 

    We're not 

    Are we 

  • It's Time

    I’m fine.

    I know I’m crying,

    but that’s normal.

     

    I’m just fine.

    I feel like I’m dying,

    but who doesn’t?

     

  • teenager in america

    i go to school these days & i'm scared i'll get shot

    earbuds always in, trying to drown out my thoughts

    fall to the ground, let it all float away

    look me in the eyes & i'll believe every lie you say

  • We are here

    We are Gen-Z 

    Even if you don't think so.

    We are here even if we 

    Pretend we’re not.

    We are matter.  

    We take up space.

    We are important 

    Even if we don't think we are. 

  • 18 going on 19

    Legally I am an adult.

    18 going on 19.

    According to most,

    I still am a teen.

    According to most,

    I don’t seem like 18.

    According to me,

    I don’t think I’m ready to be an adult.

  • AHHHHHHH

    I keep wondering if something is wrong with me,

    Because I can’t seem to understand.

    And I don’t want to be the person that only writes about crushes and drama,

    I’m not shallow don’t worry.

    Yet here I am,