Writing Contests

Did you know that Christopher Paolini was just 15-years-old when he wrote the rough draft of Eragon?  You are not too young to become a published writer, too.  Writing contests help to prepare you for real life publishing, whether it is for  book publishes, employers, or teachers.  In the publishing world you have to target publishers by submitting written pieces on specific topics, following word limits, and abiding by submission guidelines.    

Storyworks Writing Contests (Throughout the Year)

Storyworks is a magazine published by Scholastic.  Each issue of the Storyworks sponsors many writing contests covering various genres (poetry, nonfiction, fiction) and vocabulary contests. Students are encouraged to submit to any contest of interest. 

Breaking Barriers--In Sports, In Life (March 1 Deadline)

The "Breaking Barriers Writing Contest" is sponsored by Major League Baseball and Scholastic.  See the Jackie Robinson unit for more information.  Students write an biographical essay describing barriers they exprience in their lives and values they use to face those barriers. 

Letters About Literature (December 12 Deadline)

Letters About Literature is a national reading promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, presented in partnership with Target and affiliate state centers for the book.  Students select their their favorite piece of literature (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essay, etc.) and reflect on the impact in had on them.  Do not write a summary, but reflect on how you connected to the text.

Patriot's Pen VFW Writing Contest (November 1 Deadline)

Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy.

Greater Thousand Islands Literacy Council (GTLIC) Writing Contest (Spring)

Each year, the GTLIC sponsors a writing contest on varying topics. Typically, the students can respond to the contest prompt in any genre of their choosing.  The contest is open to all school districts throughout the North Country.  Each school district is allowed to submit three pieces of work at each grade level.  

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