Writing Contests for Young People
By Keidra Chaney, N2Arts Correspondent
Share your writing with the world
 

ave you written a poem that your friends and teachers rave about, and want to share it with the world? Or maybe you have a competitive spirit, and want to compare your writing skills to other writers out there. Whatever reason you may have, writing contests are a great way for writers to get experience or try a style of writing they’ve never done before.

There are tons of contests geared towards writers under the age of 18. Why not find the one that’s best for you and give it a try? Writing contests for young people are sponsored by newspapers, national magazines, even local writer’s groups and community groups. How do you find the one that’s best for you?

First off, be sure to do your research before you apply. The Internet is a great way to start, but don’t forget to check your local library. Bulletin boards may have flyers promoting local contests. Also ask the reference librarian. She can show you the books and magazines for writers that list writing contests from around the country. There are a lot of writing contests out there, especially on the Web, but be wary of those that ask you to send money or require you to buy a book or magazine subscription in order to apply. If you’re not sure if a contest is genuine, ask a teacher or family member to take a look at the contest rules before you enter.

As you research, keep an eye out for contests that focus on things you’d be most interested in researching and writing about. If you enjoy reading science-fiction novels and are bored by mysteries, you will probably want to stay away from a mystery writing contest. Contests are competitive, but they’re also supposed to be fun. If the topic bores you and the writing becomes a chore, why even bother? On the other hand, if you are a writer looking for a new challenge - say you want to write a science-fiction mystery - a writing contest may be a great chance for you to try something new. 

Once you’ve found the right contest for you and you’ve written your story or essay, have a friend, teacher, or family member check your work for spelling and grammar errors before you submit your work. Be sure to read the application instructions carefully: many contests have specific rules about word count, topic, style, even margins, and font size.  Double-check the contest deadline and make sure you are sending your application off in time.

Keidra Chaney is a freelance writer and editor in Chicago. She can be reached at keidrac@yahoo.com.