HWRHS Edfund Writing Center
"Either do something worth writing or write something worth reading."
- Benjamin Franklin
Writing Opportunities
You know that story you’ve been writing, the one you never work on because you lack motivation. Well here’s motivation. Competitions, magazines, scholarships, summer writing camps, all this and more below. And if that’s not enough there’s this cool new thing called Google that can find you anything that's not here.
A few quick pointers on looking for publication:
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KEEP AN EYE ON DEADLINES. It would really suck if that masterpiece you've been working on for eight months gets rejected because it’s a day late.
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If you’re thinking of submitting to a magazine or a competition, have the decency to read some of what they’ve published first. If you want people to notice your work, you should probably notice theirs.
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Never go for anything that makes you pay for submission. There are people who will take your money in return for a rejection letter. (On the flip side there are publications that will pay for your work, look for these.)
Teen Poetry Contest
Support your local library by submitting to the 4th Annual Themed Poetry Contest. This year the prompt is technology. It’s open to all grades 6-12, with two winners from high school and two from middle school. You can find guidelines and submit on the library’s website. The contest closes on April 30th so have your submission in by then. Keep in mind there’s a cash prize if you win (of an unnamed amount) but you’ll also have to recite you poem at a reception on May 15th.
informedteenshwlibrary.blogspot.com
Scholastic
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is probably the most prestigious competition on this list. If you haven’t herd of them, Scholastic is a publishing and distributing company that focuses mainly on children’s books and education. Every year they host an online competition that accepts nearly 900,000 literary and art pieces created by 7th through 12th graders. Winners of this competition can earn sizable scholarships and may get their work published in one of two scholastic funded magazines. If you’re interested you can check it out on the link below. Unfortunately the deadline for the 2014 awards has already passed, but the 2015 competition starts in September, so start writing early if you’re interested.
Cicada
Cicada is young adult magazine that publishes fiction, poetry, first-person nonfiction, comics and art. It comes out every other month but you can submit any time.
Also check out their online forum, The Slam, where you can submit both finished and unfinished work to be read and critiqued. For example work, challenge themes, submission guidelines and more log onto their website.
Polyphony H.S.
Polyphony is an annual young adult magazine that publishes fiction, poetry, and literary nonfiction by anyone ages 14-23. It is peer edited so the majority of the staff are in high school or college. Look here from what they’ve published before and submission guidelines. You can send something in anytime but keep in mind they only publish once a year.
Figment
Figment is sort of an all-of-the-above literary website. Primarily it’s an online library where you can share and discuses stories with other angsty teen writers. On top of this, however, it also hosts competitions, provides polls and quizzes and has a rotating list of recommended books. Described in the words of a certain astounding author who attends this highs school and who shall not be named (ahemm… Eric Baumister), “Imagine Edmodo for writers”. Check out the website to make an account or just browse posted works without one.
Norman Mailer
The Norman Mailer High School Creative Nonfiction Award Competition (yeah, it’s a mouthful) basically explains itself. It’s open to all students enrolled in high school and accepts only creative non-fiction (so personal narratives, reflections and such). You can only submit one document—10 single spaced pages maximum—but it can be comprised of as many different pieces as you want. For motivation there’s a $2,500 cash prize (!!!!!!!) and a free trip to the Colony’s National Award Ceremony if you win. Check out the link below to see former winning pieces and submit.
Ayn Rand
Feeling capitalistic and fiercely independent? Express it in the Ayn Rand Essay Competition and earn some money while you at it (fittingly). There are three different essay subjects, one on each of Ayn Rand’s most notable novels: Anthem, Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged. Each has a different age range and submission deadline so watch out. Log on at the link below for more information and the specific prompts.
Emerson College
Do you ever get the urge to do College work over the summer? … Yeah, neither do I. But if a summer writing program interests you then check out Emerson College’s offer for 5 a week course in creative writing. The program runs from July 5th to August 10th and is held right on their campus in Boston. It includes writing sessions, revising sessions, workshops and a final reading. If you’re interested come check out the brochure in the writing center (it’s the one blue and purple one labeled Arts and Communication Pre-College Studio Programs) or see the link to their website down below. There is a short application due June 16th at the latest, but space is limited so they suggest applying early. Also, be aware the program does cost $5,920 to $2,825 (depending on weather you commute or stay on campus).
emerson.edu/academics/professional-studies/programs-high-school-students/application