Writing Contests
Connecticut Student Writers Contest
The Connecticut Writing Project (CWP) at UConn sponsors a number of writing contests for Connecticut teenagers. Check out their website here or look below for information on the Letters About Literature contest, the Connecticut Scholastic Arts & Literature contest, and publication in the Connecticut Student Writer's Magazine.
List of student writing contests
Although these are not necessarily specifically for Connecticut students. you'll find a lot of contests listed here!
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2024 Poetry Writing Contest Winners!
First Place and GHS 2024-2025 Poet Laureate: Joy Chouinard for "In the Blink of an Eye"
Second Place: Jonathan Lemoi for "Midnight Guardian"
Third Place: Stephen Johnson for "I Wish That I Could Write a Poem"
Honorable Mention: Ava Mehrens for "Pain"
Thank you to all the participants, and to our judges: Ms. Kinsall, Mrs. Yu, Ms. Litchfield, Ms. Bush, Mrs. Gervase, and Ms. Sutcliffe.
The winners of the 2024 Poem in Your Pocket raffle are Kiera Fleming and Shane Hulboj. Congratulations!
April is Poetry Month
UConn Letters About Literature Contest
Have you ever been caught up in a book, play, or poem? Has a work of literature changed your mind, or caught your emotions, or made you feel seen? Write a letter to the author (living or dead) to tell them how their writing made a difference to you!
In 2023, we had a number of students who earned an honorable mention or who were semifinalists! Here are a sample of the entries:
Gretta Domkowski: Letter to Harper Lee
Chloe Milligan: Letter to Randy Pausch
Ryan Tate: Letter to R. L. Stine
How to enter:
Step 1. Create an account HERE .
Step 2. Upload your best, proofread work to the approproate category.
Step 3. Send in your entry form with the entry fee ($10.00 per item, $30.00 per portfolio). You may qualify for a waiver on the fee.
Scholastic Writing Awards
Enter your best writing to the Connecticut Regional Arts & Writing awards, sponsored by the Connecticut Writing Project and the University of Connecticut. You can find more information here:
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS January 6, 2023
Have your work published in the Connecticut Student Writer's Magazine!
Honoring Student Writers since 1987, the Connecticut Student Writer's Magazine publishes the best submitted works from grades K-12 across the state. Annually, the magazine receives about 1,500 submissions in poetry, stories, drama, and essays. This year's deadline is January 29, 2024. Read the submission information HERE.
The highlight of the publication process is the Student Recognition Night, a celebration hosted by the CWP on the UConn campus.
The Connecticut Bar Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance to people who are unable to hire their own attorneys. Among the issues they address are human trafficking, minority rights, and support of students in low income school districts. Learn more about the Connecticut Bar Foundation HERE.
Connecticut Bar Foundation Essay Contest
The Connecticut Bar Foundation sponsors the annual James W. Cooper Fellows Quinton Johnstone Statewide Essay Contest, open to all Connecticut students enrolled in grades 9-12.
Read HERE for contest rules. You must read a scenario involving a school situation and argue for a persuasive legal resolution to the problem. This year's scenario concerns the use of Artificial Intelligence in school.
Deadline: February 22, 2024
Prizes: First prize winner receives $2,000.00! Runners up (2) will each receive $1,000.00.
HERE is the website for the writing contest.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Writings must be 400 words or less and may include: poetry, short story, short play, or an act from a play.
Students in grades K-12 are eligible to submit.
Only one entry is allowed per student.
Teachers, parents, or students themselves may submit.
All submissions must be made electronically by following the link below.
Students must be available to read at Event on June 17 at Spring Hill Vineyard.
Celebration of Young Writers
ASAP!’s 18th Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit poetry and prose to our panel for the chance to work with an orator and read their piece in front of a live audience. 2023 top selected works will be presented at the Spring Hill Arts Gathering (SHAG) Festival on Friday, June 23 2023, and shared through ASAP!’s website.
Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.
This program is funded in part by The Maurice Sendak Foundation.
SUBMISSIONS
Spring 2023. More details coming soon.