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

  • Poetry

    By Amelia_v

    I don’t know, I’m sorry

    I don’t know.

    I’m sorry.

    I don’t know if I can do this.

    I’m sorry. 

    I don’t know if I can do this for much longer.

    I’m sorry.

    I don’t know if I can do this for much longer and I’ve been getting tired.

    Read More

  • Poetry

    By Genos_The_Pom

    Where it’s Quiet

    Rain patters down on doorsteps 

    Houses, roofs and windows

    Every where it clatters down 

    Diminishing the rainbows 

    Houses moan and creek 

    Groaning with agony 

    Sidewalks take the pain

    Read More

  • Poetry

    By Amelia_v

    Girlhood (a list)

    Girlhood is texting your crush because it's late at night and you don't know any better. 

    Girlhood is staring way too hard at the prettiest girl in class. 

    Read More

  • Poetry

    By Writer1326

    Drained.

    I’ve always held my creative side dear to me. 

    Cherishing every spur of creativity, 

    However I still took this feeling for granted. 

    When the stress of the word planted–

    Read More

  • Opinion

    By bradee_traverse

    Advice

    “Just grow up.” “Take your time.” “You won’t be a teenager forever.” Good, I don’t want to be. Always stressing about due dates, or tests, or studying, or the future, or absolutely anything at this point.

    Read More

  • Poetry

    By mmae_ee

    remember?

    remember when we were kids?

    when nothing really mattered,

    and we believed in unicorns and fae.

    it seems so far away,

    the days on where we laughed and played.

    we cried only because of a 'booboo'.

    Read More

  • Poetry

    By twoblueviolets

    Adolescence

    Being a kid is like a dream. 
    You’re riding bikes 
    and going on hikes in the park.  
    Nothing is holding you down 
    ‘cept when the day frowns with rainy skies 

    Read More

  • Poetry

    By Gali

    You won't, You can't

    "What do you want to do when you grow up"

    "I want to change the world"

    "Ok but what are you going to do?"

    "Change the world"

    "You can't"

    "I can"

    "You won't"

    "I will"

    Read More

  • Poetry

    By Fainting Goat

    Teenage Years

    Teenage Years

    Some of the best

    And the worst

    Years of your life

    Or so I hear

    Some of the hardest

    And most rewarding

    Or so I hear

    My teenage years have been a doozy

    I’ve had massive

    Read More