Writing Contests

**For help submitting your writing, email Mrs. Sindt at sindt.kathleen@westside66.net

• Each summer, the Nebraska Writing Project helps host multiple writing camps and workshops for the young writers of Nebraska. And registration is now open for all! We encourage your students and family to register and join us for a summer full of writing! 

  • The Young Writers Camp offers a two-week program (Monday through Friday, 10am-1pm) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We offer workshops in slam poetry, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, song-writing, poetry, memoir, and screen writing! Young writers work with professional writers, professors, teachers, and undergraduate interns! For grades 8-12

• FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: https://newp.unl.edu/youth-and-community/young-writers-camp/ 

**Young Writers Camp

Grades 8-12

Dates: July 13 – 24, M-F, 10am – 1pm

Also:

***I Love to Write Workshop 2

For ages 12-15:  June 1-5: 12:30 – 3 PM

The I Love to Write/We Love to Write Workshops are a series of summer writing workshops for youth and families to write in a supportive environment. This year’s workshops will focus on a variety of writing styles, strategies, genres and activities. Sessions will meet on the UNL Campus for a week in June. The Celebration of Writers Ceremony is held on the Saturday at the end of the week. These workshops are led by Sandra Peter and Susan Dinsdale, experienced teachers of writing, and the camp is sponsored by the Nebraska Writing Project

Also:

***We Love to Write

(students ages 7-15 and their families or special adults)

June 1-5: 4 – 6:30 PM

TO REGISTER, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK (or visit the Nebraska Writing Project Webpage): https://newp.unl.edu/youth-and-community/i-love-write-we-love-write/

• The Omaha Storm Chasers are partnering with Nebraska State Treasurer, Joey Spellerberg, for the “Why I Want to Go to College” writing sweepstakes. Entries must be postmarked by March 16, 2026.

  • Students in grades 7 and 8 are asked to reflect on the value of education and what they hope to achieve through education after high school.

  • Essays should be limited to 750 words

  • Three winners will be chosen from each of Nebraska’s three Congressional districts, and three winners will be chosen from outside Nebraska.

  • Winners will receive contributions to the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) college savings accounts – including $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. NEST 529 is the state-sponsored college savings program that allows for tax-advantaged investments and tax-free qualified withdrawals.

  • Each Nebraska winner will receive four tickets to the May 3, 2026, Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion. During the game, winners will be recognized during a brief ceremony prior to the first pitch.

  •  Entries should be sent with a cover sheet to Alexis Smith, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046.

  • Cover Sheet & Rules and Additional Details

• Bess Streeter Aldrich Short Story Contest - Submission deadline April 15, 2026

  • To honor NE author Bess Streeter Aldrich and recognize outstanding writing, the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation announces its 2026 Short Story Contest. 

    • Prizes: Middle School (grades 6 - 8 ): 

      • 1st Prize $50

      • 2nd Prize $25

      • 3rd Prize $15

  • Click the link for more information

• Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest - Spring of 2026

Contests are also posted here:

 https://ey.westside66.org/category/other-events-contests/

Battle of the Books

2025-26 Middle School Book List

1. A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall – Jasmine Warga

2. Kareem Between - Shafa Saltagi Safadi

3. The Wrong Way Home – Kate O’Shaughnessy

4. The Night War – Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

5. The Bletchley Riddle – Ruta Septys and Steve Shenkin

6. Not Quite a Ghost – Anne Ursu

7. The First State of Being – Erin Estrada Kelly

8. Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie – Jordan Sonnenblick

9. The Crossover – Kwame Alexander

10. Operation Do Over – Gordon Korman

Contact the WMS librarian, Mrs. Saetveit, if you are interested in participating in BOTB!