Writing Contests for Kids

If your kids have aptitude for or interest in writing, why not encourage them to enter a writing contest? Of course, the emphasis doesn't have to be on your kids winning the writing contest, but rather on the process: starting with an idea and seeing it through until it's the best it can be. Writing contests also offer kids an experience with deadlines and writing within certain parameters (like specific word count) which can be beneficial. Writing contests for kids also offer prizes sometimes which can give your kids extra motivation and, if they win, a chance to have their work recognized, something that doesn't happen to young writers very often compared to kids who excel at other skills like sports and music. Here's a list of some writing contests you and your kids may want to explore. Remember: writing can be fun!

GENERAL CONTESTS

Scholastic's Kids Are Authors Contest (http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/kaa/)
Held annually, this contest is open to kids K-8 in accredited public or private schools and offers the great prize of publishing the winning book for distribution at book fairs. Kids are asked to three or more students to write and illustrate a book. They must have a project coordinator (teacher, etc.). There are separate categories for fiction and non-fiction. Check the website for complete details.

The David Melton Memorial Award for Written & Illustrated By…Contest for Students (http://www.landmarkeditions.com/Scripts/index.asp)
The purpose of this writing contest for kid is, according to its website: "To encourage and celebrate the creative talents and skills of students." To enter, students (three different age brackets) are asked to write and illustrate their own book. The student must do both the illustrations and writing him or herself, with one illustration per two-page spread. The book, even written by kids in the upper bracket, should be comprehensible to kids K through 4th grade. The student is free to choose any genre: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc. Submissions need to be made by a librarian or teacher. Check the website for further details.

Kids In Print Writing And Art Contest http://www.masslive.com/sites/nie/writing.html)
An annual contest built around a theme and a writing prompt and sponsored by a Massachusetts regional newspaper, The Springfield Republican. Prizes include small cash awards and publication in a newspaper. Entries must be submitted by a teacher. See website for more details.

Oprah's National High School Writing Contest (http://www2.oprah.com/obc_classic/open/obc_essay_contest.jhtml)
Oprah's contest encourages high school students to write essays based on prompts about her book club selection, like 2006's night. Check website for future contests.

WRITING ABOUT FAMILY:

The Fire Escape's Teen Writing Contest (http://www.mitaliperkins.com/ )
This contest is sponsored by Fire Escape, a website by fiction author Mitali Perkins (Monsoon Summer) and aimed at giving kids "living between two cultures" a place to "chat'. The contest is open to teens who were born outside the US or whose parents were, but who live in the US now. The contests asks them to write about their experiences "the joys and struggles of growing up between two cultures" either in poem or short fiction form. There's also a contest for writing reviews of books covering the website's theme of immigrant kids. See the website for more details.

Grannie Annie Writing Contest (http://www.booksfromtheheart.com/grannieannie/ )
Sponsored by One-of-A-Kind-Kids and Thumbprint books, this contest offers kids in two different middle school brackets to submit a story about a past generation of their families, 250-500 words long. A parent must sign a permission slip. Selected winners will be published Grannie Annie Vol. 1, a collection of these types of stories. See website for complete details.

WRITING FOR MATH AND SCIENCE FANS:

Math Cats Writing Contest (http://www.mathcats.com/contest.html)
This contest, sponsored by a math site for kids, asks kids to consider a math-related writing theme each year. Entries can be stories, journal entries or other creative writing pieces. Winners get Math Cat t-shirts and certificates of achievement plus publication on the website. The sitemaster will also make a charitable donation of cash in the winner's name to the an organization looking to cure a rare bone disease which one site member has. See the site for complete details.

Neuroscience Writing Contest for Kids (http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/writing6.html)
Don't let the name confuse you, this contest, sponsored by the University of Washington isn't asking kids to write a doctoral thesis. Instead, kids in three age brackets to write fun poems, limericks or haiku (different in each age bracket) about the brain and its function. Winners get brain-related books and a chance to be on the "Neuroscience for Kids" website. Contest deadline is Feb. 1st.

FOR POETS

Dan Sullivan Memorial Poetry Contest (http://www.wcdr.org/dansullivanrules.html)
This contest, set up in memory of a NH poet, is open to kids in two age brackets (12 and under, 13 thru under 18) and asks them to submit poems on any subject. Winners receive cash and publication in Word Weaver Magazine. There is no entry fee for kids. See website for more details.

Ann Arlys Bowler Poetry Contest (http://www.weeklyreader.com/teens/read/bowlers_poetry_contest.asp)
This contest, sponsored at Weekly Reader, gives students grades 6-12 a chance to win money, a medal, and publication in print and online for their poetry. See website for complete application and details.