["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