Writing Contests for Young Writers – the NewPages Guide
Updated August 7, 2023
View Publications for Young Writers
Where young writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. Some publish only young writers, some publish all ages for young readers. For specific submission guidelines, visit the publication’s website. Ages can include elementary, teen, or early college. This is an ad-free resource: publications and writing contests listed here have not paid to be included. This guide is maintained by Editor Denise Hill, a teacher who loves to encourage young writers.
Safety Matters! We expect sites listed in this guide to adhere to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. This includes a transparent method for obtaining parental/guardian permission when collecting information from contributors under the age of 13 years old.
This is a select list of contests from reputable sources. There are many contests that charge fees, but for this resource, I have sought contests which mean to recognize and encourage young writers and do not charge reading or entry fees. Of those listed that do charge a fee, some provide a publication subscription in return as they are trying to gain new readers; that seems fair and the publishers are upfront about it. Other fee-based contests are from reputable members of the literary community, and the fee is considered reasonable in relation to the prize winnings being offered.
Please avoid contests that tell you you’ve won and then want you to purchase expensive copies of the book in which you have been published. These types of “scam” contests publish hundreds, even thousands of entrants, and profit greatly from book sales. These contests take advantage of young writers and inexperienced writers of all ages.
Also see the NCTE Guidelines for Contests, which is helpful for contest organizers who want to reach out to K-12 students and for teachers assessing the legitimacy of contests for their students.
Contest Deadlines: I make every effort to update the contest list monthly and update deadline dates as the contest sponsors update them on their websites. Contest dates may change without anyone notifying me, so users of this guide should check the contest website for the most accurate information. If a previous year’s date is noted here, then the contest sponsor may not have updated their website yet, but they will likely be running the contest again. Please check back here or on the contest sponsor’s site if you are interested in that contest.
January February March April May June July
August September October November December
The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Grades 7-12 during the current school year
Deadline: Varies by Region – Enter zip code to find deadline
The Earth Chronicles
Monthly Summer Writing Contests June/July/August
Grades 6-12
Homer Humanities
Prompt-based
Ages 10-22
Bimonthly
Manningham Trust Student Poetry Contest
National Federation of State Poetry Societies
Grades 6-12
Each participating state conducts its own contest with deadline.
Each participating state sends its top entrants to the national contest.
Click here for a list of participating states.
NAACP ACT-SO Program
Open to U.S. citizen students of African descent grades 9-12
Multiple categories within academic, scientific, and artistic achievement
Requires local program oversight and participation that culminates in a national competition.
National History Day Project Competition
Junior Division (grades 6, 7, 8) and Senior Division (grades 9, 10, 11, 12)
Categories: Paper, Performance, Documentary, Exhibit, Website
Check the website for an affiliate region near you for timelines.
National PTA Reflections Awards
Grades Pre-K to 12
Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts
Each state holds its own contest, submitting winners to the national contest.
The New York Times
Ages 13-19
Various contests with varying deadlines
Editorial Cartoon Contest, Civil Conversation Challenge, Review Contest, Year in Rap Contest, Vocabulary Video Contest, Editorial Contest, Found Poetry Contest, Summer Reading Contest
Poetry in Voice
A monthly poetry contest for Canadian students grades 9-12.
Based on a monthly prompt.
All poems submitted are considered for publication in Voices/Voix.
Six Word Memoirs
Six Words hold monthly contests for which writers must respond to a prompt in exactly six words.
Stone Soup Flash Contest
Stone Soup holds a monthly flash contest challenge based on a prompt for writers 13 and under.
Write the World
WtW holds monthly contests based on an idea or genre (poetry, fantasy, sports journalism, fiction, etc.). For young writers 13-18 years old.
WriteCause
An organization that runs quarterly writing contests with topics centered around different world issues, encouraging charity donations, and prompting teens 12-18 years old to reflect on current crises and inspiring solutions.
Youth Communication
Every three months, YC will highlight five recent articles and ask readers ages 14-19 to write a response to the author of a story (up to 300 words). Three winners will receive prizes of $150 (1st prize), $75 (2nd prize), and $50 (3rd prize.)
VSA Playwright Discovery Competition
Grades 6-12 / Ages 11-18
Ten-minute play, screenplay, or music theater exploring the disability experience
Written by young writers with disabilities and collaborative groups that include students with disabilities
Deadline: January 4, 2023
National Youth Foundation
Amazing Women Writing Contest
Theme: Local Heroines
Grades K-8
Deadline: January 9, 2023
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Sponsored by the JFK Memorial Library and John Hancock
Grades 9-12
Deadline: January 13, 2023 postmark
Atkins Center for Ethics Essay Contest
Carlow University
Grades 11 and 12
Deadline: January 15, 2023
Ringling College of Art and Design
High School Creative Writing Contest
High School Age Writers
Deadline: January 15, 2023
In Search of Walt Whitman
East Rock Films
Essay, Video Essay, Performance
High School Juniors/Seniors (U.S. or Canada)
College Freshman/Sophomore (U.S. or Canada)
Deadline: January 15, 2023
Northeastern University – London
[Formerly New College of the Humanities]
Essay Competition
Prompts provided in humanities and social sciences.
Grade 12 only
Deadline: January 16, 2023
Power to Explore Writing Challenge
California Institute of Technology
U.S. Students in grades K-12
Deadline: January 17, 2023
Columbus State University
The Carson McCullars Literary Award
Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Expository Essay, Playwriting, Screenwriting
High School Age Category for Georgia and Alabama High School Students
Deadline: January 27, 2023
Columbia College Chicago
Young Authors Writing Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
High School Age Writers
Deadline: January 30, 2023
Saint Mary’s College
River of Words Poetry and Art Contest
Grades K-12 (Ages 5-19)
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Outdoor Writers Association of America
Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards
Grades 6-8 or 9-12
For outdoor-oriented works.
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Arizona Mystery Writers
Mary Ann Hutchison Memorial Story Contest for Youths
Ages 9-13; 14-17 Both age groups awarded prizes.
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Bluefire 1000-word Story Contest
Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation
Grades 6-12
Deadline: February 1, 2023
EngineerGirl Writing Contest
Fiction in which the main character is a female who uses engineering skills to solve a problem.
Grades 3-12
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Gannon University
High School Poetry Contest
Grades 9-12
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Holocaust Art and Writing Contest
Chapman University
Grades Middle and High School
Deadline: Postmark February 1, 2023 or by February 3, 2023 for digital submissions
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society
University of Central Florida
Middle & High School Writing Contest
Story, Poem, Essay
Deadline: February 1, 2023
North Carolina Poetry Society
Student Poetry Contest
Grades 3-College Undergraduate
North Carolina Residents Only
Deadline: February 3, 2023
U.S. Kids Annual Cover Art Contest
Ages 2-12
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Write On! Story Writing Contest
Ann Arbor District Library
Flash Fiction and Short Story Grades 3-5
Open to Michigan Residents Only
Deadline: February 6, 2023
[See March for Grades 6-12 contest.]
Korean Spirit & Culture Promotion Project
Nationwide Essay Contest
Topic provided on website.
Middle School and High School
Deadline: February 12, 2023
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Davidson Institute, Reno, NV
Ages 18 and under as application date
For completion of a significant work in STEM or Humanities categories
Deadline: February 15, 2023
NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing
For Juniors in the current academic school year
Students must be nominated by their school’s English Department
Deadline: February 15, 2023
NCTE Promising Young Writers Program
For 8th grade students in the current academic year
Students must be nominated by a school committee or department
Deadline: February 15, 2023
Writopia Labs Worldwide Plays Festival
Micro-Play Contest
Grades 1-12
Deadline: February 15, 2023
Society of Professional Journalists and Journalism Education Association
Essay based on prompt.
Grades 9-12 U.S. Public, Private, & Home Schools
Deadline: February 19, 2023
Curieux Research Scholarship Award
Middle or High School Students
Deadline: February 20, 2023
Keats-Shelley Memorial Association
Young Romantics Prizes
Poetry, Essay
Ages 16-18
Deadline: February 23, 2022
Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Open to books published in the previous year FOR young readers.
Categories: Pre-K to Grade 3; Grades 4-6; Grades 7-12
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Polyphony Lit Black History Month Contest
Open to High School Students Globally
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Deadline: Open February 1-February 28, 2023
Polyphony Lit Winter Contest
Open to High School Students Globally
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Deadline: Open February 1 – February 28, 2023
American Society of Human Genetics
DNA Day Essay Contest
Grades 9-12
Deadline: March 1, 2023
Carl Sandburg Student Poetry Contest
Grades 3-12
Deadline: March 1, 2023
Dear Poet Project
Grades 5-12
Letters written in response to poets reading poems
Select letters will be published online; Select letters will receive a response
Deadline: March 1, 2023
Elephant Aid International Essay Contest
Essay Prompts
Grade 3-5 and 6-8
Deadline: March 1, 2023
Project Yellow Light
Scholarship Competition
Grades High School or College
Video, Billboard, Radio PSA on not driving distracted
[Also listed under April]
Deadline: March 1, 2023
Cancer Unwrapped Teen Essay Writing Contest
Cancer Pathways
Grades: 9-12
Deadline: March 3, 2023
It’s All Write! Teen Writing Contest
Ann Arbor District Library
Flash Fiction and Short Story Grades 6-12
Open to Michigan Residents Only
Deadline: March 5, 2023
[See February for Grades 3-5 contest.]
Taradiddle Youth Writing Contests
Animal-themed prompt-based fiction
Age Categories: Elementary under 13; High School 14-18
Deadline: March 9, 2023
Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction/Memoir
Online Flexible Dates June 20-August 1
High School and Gap Year Students
Financial Aid Available
Deadline: March 15, 2023
The Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival Competition
Original Plays or Musicals on any subject
Ages 9-19
Deadline: March 15, 2023
Jacklyn Potter Young Poets Competition
The Word Works
Grades 9-12
Deadline: March 15, 2023
West Chester University
Several contests for undergraduate college/university.
Deadline: March 15, 2023
The Haiku Society of America
Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition
Grades 7-12
Deadline: March 27, 2023
Radiant Peace Education Awards
Essay, Art, Video, Projects
Grades 1-12
Deadline: Postmark March 23, 2023
Essay and Art Contest on Human and Civil Rights
Hindus for Human Rights
Open to South Asian American students in grades 6-12
Deadline: March 30, 2022
[sent inquiry 3/19: plan to update soon]
ukiaHaiku Festival
Haiku Contest
All Ages – Some Regional to California Counties
No Fee (except for Adult Contemporary Haiku)
Deadline: Will reopen in 2023
The website includes helpful guidelines for writing haiku.
The Caterpillar
Best Poem for Children Contest
This contest is actually for adults writing for readers ages 7-11(ish).
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Princeton University
Lewis Arts Center
Ten-Minute Play Contest
Grades 11 and 12 in the current school year
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Sarah Mook Poetry Prize
Grades K-12
Deadline: March 31, 2023
The Sejong Cultural Society
Essay, Sijo (Poetry)
Open to Pre-college and Young Adults
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Project Yellow Light
Scholarship Competition
Grades High School or College
Video, Billboard, Radio PSA on not driving distracted
[Also listed under March]
Deadline: April 1, 2023
United States Institute for Peace
High School Essay Contest
Deadline: April 3, 2023
American Foreign Service Association
High School Essay Contest
Grades 9-12
Deadline: April 4, 2023
#USvsHate
All-Media Public Anti-Hate Message Contest
Grade Categories: K12; 7-12 Grade; Higher Education
Individual and Class Group Submissions
Deadline: December 1, 2023 and April 5, 2024
The Legacy Project
“Listen to a Life” Writing Contest
Ages 8-18
Deadline: April 14, 2023
We the Students Essay Contest
Bill of Rights Institute
Ages 14-19
Deadline: on hiatus for 22-23
Americans Against Gun Violence
National High School Essay Contest
Theme provided on website.
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Short on Words
Poetry or Prose in response to one of ten photographs.
Age Categories 17 and under, 18 and older
$10 Nonprofit fundraising entry fee
Deadline: April 22, 2022
[Sent inquiry 3/19; said site should be updated soon.]
fingers comma toes
National Flash Fiction Day Youth Competition
All ages
Deadline: April 30, 2023
The Wilbur & NISO Smith Foundation
Author of Tomorrow Adventure Writing Contest
Ages 11 and under; 12-15; 16-21
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Under the Madness Magazine
Teen Poetry Contest
Ages 13-19
Deadline: April 30, 2023
LIGHT
Leaders Igniting Generational Healing & Transformation
Under 18 category
“How might we recreate public health as art, letters, stories, and poetry?”
Letters, Poetry, Stories, Art, and a “Surprise Us” category
Deadline: May 1, 2023
New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights
YouthPLAYS
Non-musical, one-act play suitable for HS audience
Written by Playwrights 19 years and under
Deadline: May 1, 2023
World Historian Student Essay Competition
World History Association
Grades K-12
Deadline: May 1, 2023
Skipping Stones Asian Celebration Haiku Contest
Ages 7-18
Deadline: May 5, 2023
Skipping Stones Youth Honors Award
Promoting Multicultural Awareness, International Understanding and Nature Appreciation
Original Writing and Art
Ages 7-17
Deadline: May 5, 2023
Holocaust Center for Humanity
Holocaust Writing, Art, and Film Contest
Open to ages 9-18 in WA, OR, ID, AK
Deadline: May 15, 2023
Go On Girl! Scholarships
Aspiring Writer and Unpublished Writer
Each has unique criteria; See website
Deadline: May 15, 2023
The Roadrunner Review
High School Writing Contest
Poetry and Prose (“any genre”)
Deadline: May 15, 2022
[Publication on hiatus as of 1/4/23.]
Toyin Fálọlá Prize
Short Story Theme: Africanfuturism
Ages 15-35
Entrants must be African
Deadline: May 15, 2022
[sent inquiry 3/19]
Quills and Keyboard
Poetry, Song Lyrics, SciFi, Fantasy, Short Story, Personal Essay, Memoir, Novel Excerpts, Journalism, Humor, Flash Fiction, Dramatic Script, Critical Essay, Horror, Philosophy, Speeches, Classic Literary Adaptations
High School Students 14+
Deadline: May 20, 2023
Humane Education Network
A Voice for Animals
Essay Contest for 14-15 and 16-18-year-olds
Video Action Project for 16-18-year-olds
Essay with Photos for 16-18-year-olds
Deadline: May 21, 2023
The Adroit Journal
Prizes for Poetry and Prose
Open to Secondary and Undergraduate Students
Fee Waiver Request Form available
Deadline: May 31, 2022
Last House Writing Contest for Emerging Writers
Sponsored by Audubon Canyon Ranch
Essay, Short Story, Poetry
Age Categories 8-12 years old and 13-17 years old
Deadline: May 17, 2023
California Young Playwrights Contest
Open to residents of California only.
Ages Under 19 as of June 1
Deadline: June 1, 2023
Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest
Open to students studying in Canada and Canadian students studying abroad.
High School / Undergraduate / Graduate Categories
Topic changes each year
Deadline: June 1, 2023
Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest
Ages High School / College / Graduate School
Topic changes each year
Deadline: June 1, 2023
Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest
“Youth” Category of High School Age and Younger
Deadline: June 1, 2023
Natures Wild Neighbour Society
“Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors”
Art, Writing, Photography, Videography, Music
Ages 11-18
Deadline: June 1, 2023
John Estey Student Writing Competition
American Writers Museum
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre, Drama/Playwriting, Hybrid
Elementary, Middle, and High School Categories
Deadline: June 5, 2023
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Art, Poetry, Prose, Film, Music, Multimedia, Performing Arts, Spoken Word
Ages 11-18
Deadline: June 13, 2023
Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest
Theme Essay Contest
Ages 25 and under
Deadline: June 15, 2023
National Teen Storyteller Contest: Solidarity
The Center for Fiction and The Decameron Project
Ages 13-18
Deadline: June 1-June 25, 2022
Chicago Young Writers Review (CYWR)
Theme: “The Story That Made Me Feel”
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
Grades K-8
Deadline: June 30, 2022
Eden Mills Writers’ Festival
Poetry Contest for Children
Ontario Residents Only
Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-8
Deadline: June 30, 2022
Eden Mills Writers’ Festival
Poetry Contest for Teens
Ontario Residents Only
Grades 9-10 and Grades 11-12
Deadline: June 30, 2022
The Geek Partnership Society
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural and Alternate History Fiction
Poetry, Fiction, Graphic Novel
Various age categories (K-Adult)
Deadline: [on hiatus for 2023]
Polyphony Lit Pride Month Contest
Open to High School Students Globally
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Deadline: Open June 1-June 30, 2023
Polyphony Lit Summer Contest
Theme: “2020 Hindsight”
Open to High School Students Globally
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Deadline: Open June 1-June 30, 2023
Barbara Mandigo Kelly Peace Poetry Award
Ages: Adult; Youth (13-18); Youth (12 and under)
No fee for 12 and under.
Deadline: Postmark July 1, 2023
1455 Teen Poetry Contest
Ages 13-19
Deadline: July 4, 2023
Johnson County Library Youth Short Story Contest
Short Story in Verse on a theme
Grades 3-12
Deadline: Postmark July 6, 2023
Johnson County Library Youth Sticker Design Contest
Theme: “Oceans of Possibilities!”
Ages 11 and under
Deadline: Postmark July 6, 2023
Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize
State University of New York
Only undergraduates enrolled full-time in American and Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year are eligible
Deadline: July 14, 2022
Youth Innovation Challange
Global Environmental Education Partnership
Themed Essay Contest
Ages 15-30
Deadline: July 19, 2023
NCTE Excellence in Student Literary Magazines
Open to all accredited middle and secondary schools (US, CA, VI, US schools abroad)
Deadline: July 31, 2023
Student Book Scholars
National Youth Foundation
Theme: Anti-Bullying
Grades K-8
Deadline: July 15, 2023
“I Matter” Poetry Contest
National Youth Foundation
Topic: “Black Lives Matter”
Grades: K-12
Deadline: July 23, 2023
Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award
The Poetry Society
Ages 11-17
Deadline: July 31, 2023
The Lincoln Forum
Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest
Specific topic posted on the website.
For full-time college/university students.
Deadline: Postmark July 31, 2023
Stone Soup Book Contest
Fiction, Memoir, Poetry Manuscript
Ages 14 or under for 2023
Deadline: August 15, 2023
Young Writers Project
Summer of Stories 2022
Written and Visual Submissions – All genres
Grades K-12
Deadline: August 15, 2022
Wax Poetry and Art Poetry Contest
Ages under 25
Deadline: August 31, 2023
William Faulkner Literary Competition
Student Short Story Category
Open to Mississippi High School Students
Deadline: August 31, 2023
Woolgathering Young Voices Prize
Poetry
Ages under 22 years
Deadline: September 1, 2022
Lloyd Davies Philosophy Prize
Topic Essay Contest
Grade 12 or equivalent
Deadline: September 2, 2022
Youth Free Expression Film Contest
National Coalition Against Censorship
Ages 19 and under
Deadline: September 8, 2023
Gigantic Sequins: Teen Sequins
Poetry
Ages 14-18 (before June 2022)
Deadline: September 12, 2022
Taradiddle Youth Writing Contests
Animal-themed prompt-based fiction
Age Categories: Elementary under 13; High School 14-18
Deadline: September 21, 2023
Art of Unity Creative Award
International Human Rights Art Festival
Poetry, Short Story, Essay as well as any creative media
Youth Age Category 18 and under
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Creators of Justice Literary Awards
International Human Rights Art Festival
Poetry, Short Story, Essay 2500 words or less on Human Rights Theme
Youth Age Category 18 and under
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Embracing Our Differences
Art Exhibit and Quote Contest
For all ages
Deadline: October 5, 2023
National YoungArts Foundation
Ages 15-18
Various Arts Categories
Receive up to $10k + educational support
Applications Open June 12 – October 13, 2023
American Geosciences Institute
Earth Science Week Essay Contest
Theme: “Finding ‘Art’ in Earth”
Grades 6-9
Deadline: October 13, 2023
Polyphony Lit Latin Heritage Contest
Open to High School Students Globally
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Deadline: Open September 15 – October 15, 2023
Polyphony Lit Fall Contest
Open to High School Students Globally
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Deadline: Open October 1 – October 31, 2023
VFW Patriot’s Pen
Themed Essay Competition
Grades 6-8
Deadline: October 31, 2023
VFW Voice of Democracy
Audio Essay Competition
Grades 9-12
Deadline: October 31, 2023
Hollins University
Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest
For High School Sophomore and Junior Girls
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Bennington College
Young Writers Competition
Grades 10-12
Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction
Deadline: November 1, 2022
The Bridges Collaborative Student Contest
Performance Response to Prompt
Grades K-12
Video, Podcast, Classroom Lessons, Written Pieces, Poetry, Art, Music, Prezis, Powerpoint, & Other Creative Medium
Deadline: November 1, 2021
Interlochen Arts Academy
Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition
Fiction, Poetry, Spoken Word Personal essay or memoir, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Comics, Experimental or unclassifiable writing
Grades 8-11
Deadline: November 6, 2022
Chicago Young Writers Review (CYWR)
Theme: A Story Worth Telling
Fiction, Nonfiction, POetry
Grades K-8
Deadline: November 7, 2022
Lions International
International Peace Essay Contest
Ages 11, 12, 13 years old on November 15, 2023
Open to students who are considered visually impaired according to their national guidelines.
Rachel Carson Sense of the Wild Contest
Poetry and Prose w/ or w/o Photograph
Intergenerational Team of two or more only
Deadline: November 16, 2023
Rattle Young Poets Anthology
Open Call for Submissions
Ages 15 or younger
Deadline: November 16, 2023
One Teen Story Contest
Open Call for Submissions
Ages 13-15, 16-17, 18-19
Deadline: November 19, 2022
Princeton University
Leonard Milberg ’53 Secondary School Poetry Prize
Any student who is in the eleventh grade in the academic year is eligible.
Deadline: November 27, 2022
International Bipolar Foundation
High School Essay Contest
Ages 13-29
Deadline: October 15 – November 30, 2022
Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
The Kenyon Review
High School Sophomores and Juniors
Award: First place: Full scholarship to the Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop and publication. Second and third place: Publication.
Deadline: November 1 – 30, 2023
NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program
National Novel Writing Month
November 1 – 30, 2023
Many free events year-round; visit their website for details.
The Telling Room
Themed Poetry and Fiction
Grades 6-12 / Ages 11-18
For Maine Residents only
Deadline: November 30, 2023
#USvsHate
All-Media Public Anti-Hate Message Contest
Grade Categories: K12; 7-12 Grade; Higher Education
Individual and Class Group Submissions
Deadline: December 1, 2023 and April 5, 2024
Literacy In Place
Rural Teen Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Grades 9-12
Deadline: December 1, 2023
Smith College
The Poetry Center High School Prize
An annual prize for sophomore & junior girls in New England
Deadline: September 1 – December 1, 2022
Radiant Peace Education Awards
Essay, Art
Grades 1-8
Deadline: December 4, 2022
Note: This contest is run twice each year. See entry under March/April.
Quantum Shorts
Short Story
“Entries must take inspiration from quantum physics and be no longer than 1000 words.”
Ages 13+
Alternates between sci-fi and sci films each year.
Deadline: December 6, 2022
Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation Essay Contest
Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation Essay Contest
High School Students
Deadline: December 10, 2022
Rider University
Annual High School Writing Contest
Grades 9-12
Essay, Short Story, Poetry
Deadline: December 20, 2022
The Fire Scholarship Contest
Essay: Prompt using video examples on topic of Free Speech
Grades High School Juniors & Seniors
Deadline: December 31, 2021
[On hiatus 2022; check back in August for 2023]
The Fitzgerald Museum
Fiction, Poetry, Multi-Genre
High School and College Students
Deadline: September 1 – December 31, 2022
Kay Snow Student Writing Contest
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
Grades 1-12 and College
Deadline: December 31, 2021
Kay Snow YA Writing Contest
Roland Smith Award for YA and Middle-Grade Fiction
Written by adults for young adult or middle-grade readers.
Deadline: December 31, 2021
[Submissions open in November; check back for deadline.]
The Lyric Magazine
Poetry Contest
Undergraduate Students – USA and Canada
Deadline: Postmark December 31, 2023
Poetry Society of America
Louise Louis/Emily F. Bourn Student Award Poetry Award
Teacher/Administrator Nominated unpublished poem by 9-12 grade student.
Deadline: Postmark October 1-December 31, 2023
The Society of Classical Poets
Poetry Competition
Ages 13-19
Deadline: December 31, 2023
[New info is posted September 1]
Looking for a list of publications that publish young writers? Check out our guide here.
The NewPages Young Writers Guide to Contests is a free and ad-free resource for anyone looking for writing contests for teens, writing contests for high school students, scholastic writing contests, writing contests for middle school students, writing contests for kids, high school writing contests, writing contests for elementary students, creative writing contests for high school students, poetry contests for high school students.