Writing Contests For Teens
Dear Writers,
Welcome to the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County’s “Writing Opps” list. You’ll find here a list of resources for young writers, followed by a selected directory of contests and literary magazines open for publication.
Best wishes and happy writing, Jamie Lyn
CONTESTS FOR YOUNG WRITERS
Achievement Awards in Writing
Deadline: February 15, 2024
Amazing Women’s Edition Writing Contest
Deadline: January 9, 2025
Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
Deadline: February 2, 2024
Arizona Mystery Writers Mary Ann Hutchison Memorial Story Contest for Youths
Deadline: February 1, 2024
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Deadline: January 12, 2024
Lake Erie Ink Teen Book Project
Deadline: December 31, 2023
National High School Poetry Contest
Deadline: February 3, 2024
North Carolina Poetry Society Student Contests
Deadline: February 2, 2024
Polyphony Lit Winter Contest
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Promising Young Writers award
Deadline: February 15, 2024
Quantum Shorts 2023 Flash Fiction Contest
Deadline: January 8, 2024
River of Words Competition
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Storytellers of Tomorrow Writing Contest
Deadline: January 15, 2024
VSA Playwright Discovery Program
Deadline: January 10, 2024
"Write On!" Short Story Contest for Grades 3-5
Deadline: March 3, 2024
Writing Contest: The Secret Life of Everyday Items
Deadline: February 1, 2024
$1000 for 1000 Words Writing Contest
Deadline: February 1, 2024
Ongoing Opportunities for Young Writers
YOUNG WRITERS: Literary Magazines
Most of these listings accept work for writers age 8-18, but read the submission guidelines for age limits. Listings with an * also accept work from writers age 18-25.
805 Lit
https://www.805lit.org/submissions
Writers age 13-19, multiple categories.
Galliard International Review
https://galliardinternationalreview.weebly.com/submit.html
For writers age 13-22
HOYA Magazine
https://thehoyamagazine.wixsite.com/home/submissions
Writers age 14-19
Auroras & Blossoms- Rolling Deadline
Launched in 2019, Auroras & Blossoms is dedicated to promoting positive, uplifting, and inspirational art; and giving artists (ages 13 and over) of all levels a platform where they can showcase their work and build their publishing credits.
We publish short stories, flash fiction, essays, six-word stories, photography, paintings, drawings, and poetry. One of our anthologies is entirely focused on 13-16 year-old creatives.
Link: https://abpositiveart.com/submit
Princeton University - Poetry Contest for Young Writers
https://arts.princeton.edu/about/opportunities/high-school-contests/poetry-contest/
Bennington Young Writers’ Awards
https://admissions.bennington.edu/register/youngwriters
New Voices One-Act Play Competition for Young Playwrights
https://www.youthplays.com/submit_play.php
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
https://www.artandwriting.org/what-we-do/the-awards/how-to-enter/
NewPages Young Authors Guide
Deadline: Ongoing
This is updated monthly and has a great list of resources that will help you find a home for your writing and art. Check it out: https://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/young-writers-guide
http://mastersreview.com
Teen Ink
Deadline: Ongoing
Teen Ink, a national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing, art, photos, and forums. For over 25 years, Teen Ink has offered teens the opportunity to publish their creative work and opinions on issues that affect their lives – everything from love and family to school, current events, and self-esteem. Teen Ink is devoted to helping teens share their own voices, while developing reading, writing, creative and critical-thinking skills. All proceeds from the print magazine, website and Teen Ink books are used for educational purposes to further our goals. http://www.teenink.com/
AGNI
Print and online publication that includes young writers and adult authors. http://www.bu.edu/agni/submit.html
EMBER
A biannual journal for young writers age 10-18.
http://emberjournal.org/
Welcome to the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County’s “Writing Opps” list. You’ll find here a list of resources for young writers, followed by a selected directory of contests and literary magazines open for publication.
Best wishes and happy writing, Jamie Lyn
CONTESTS FOR YOUNG WRITERS
Achievement Awards in Writing
Deadline: February 15, 2024
Amazing Women’s Edition Writing Contest
Deadline: January 9, 2025
Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
Deadline: February 2, 2024
Arizona Mystery Writers Mary Ann Hutchison Memorial Story Contest for Youths
Deadline: February 1, 2024
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Deadline: January 12, 2024
Lake Erie Ink Teen Book Project
Deadline: December 31, 2023
National High School Poetry Contest
Deadline: February 3, 2024
North Carolina Poetry Society Student Contests
Deadline: February 2, 2024
Polyphony Lit Winter Contest
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Promising Young Writers award
Deadline: February 15, 2024
Quantum Shorts 2023 Flash Fiction Contest
Deadline: January 8, 2024
River of Words Competition
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Storytellers of Tomorrow Writing Contest
Deadline: January 15, 2024
VSA Playwright Discovery Program
Deadline: January 10, 2024
"Write On!" Short Story Contest for Grades 3-5
Deadline: March 3, 2024
Writing Contest: The Secret Life of Everyday Items
Deadline: February 1, 2024
$1000 for 1000 Words Writing Contest
Deadline: February 1, 2024
Ongoing Opportunities for Young Writers
YOUNG WRITERS: Literary Magazines
Most of these listings accept work for writers age 8-18, but read the submission guidelines for age limits. Listings with an * also accept work from writers age 18-25.
- Adroit Journal *
- The Apprentice Writer
- Balloons Lit Journal
- Blue Marble Review*
- BreakBread Magazine*
- The Caterpillar
- Chataqua Young Voices
- Chicago Young Writers Review
- The Decameron Project
- The Echo*
- Girls Right the World
- Hot Dish Magazine*
- InkSpire*
- KidSpirit
- Lunch Ticket *
- One Teen Story
- Paper Crane
- Parallax
- Polyphony Lit
- Rattle *
- SeaGlass Literary *
- Skipping Stones Magazine
- The Start
- Teen Ink
- Whitefish Review *
- Young Writers Project
805 Lit
https://www.805lit.org/submissions
Writers age 13-19, multiple categories.
Galliard International Review
https://galliardinternationalreview.weebly.com/submit.html
For writers age 13-22
HOYA Magazine
https://thehoyamagazine.wixsite.com/home/submissions
Writers age 14-19
Auroras & Blossoms- Rolling Deadline
Launched in 2019, Auroras & Blossoms is dedicated to promoting positive, uplifting, and inspirational art; and giving artists (ages 13 and over) of all levels a platform where they can showcase their work and build their publishing credits.
We publish short stories, flash fiction, essays, six-word stories, photography, paintings, drawings, and poetry. One of our anthologies is entirely focused on 13-16 year-old creatives.
Link: https://abpositiveart.com/submit
Princeton University - Poetry Contest for Young Writers
https://arts.princeton.edu/about/opportunities/high-school-contests/poetry-contest/
Bennington Young Writers’ Awards
https://admissions.bennington.edu/register/youngwriters
New Voices One-Act Play Competition for Young Playwrights
https://www.youthplays.com/submit_play.php
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
https://www.artandwriting.org/what-we-do/the-awards/how-to-enter/
NewPages Young Authors Guide
Deadline: Ongoing
This is updated monthly and has a great list of resources that will help you find a home for your writing and art. Check it out: https://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/young-writers-guide
http://mastersreview.com
Teen Ink
Deadline: Ongoing
Teen Ink, a national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing, art, photos, and forums. For over 25 years, Teen Ink has offered teens the opportunity to publish their creative work and opinions on issues that affect their lives – everything from love and family to school, current events, and self-esteem. Teen Ink is devoted to helping teens share their own voices, while developing reading, writing, creative and critical-thinking skills. All proceeds from the print magazine, website and Teen Ink books are used for educational purposes to further our goals. http://www.teenink.com/
AGNI
Print and online publication that includes young writers and adult authors. http://www.bu.edu/agni/submit.html
EMBER
A biannual journal for young writers age 10-18.
http://emberjournal.org/