By Rachel R., Teen Librarian
The theme for HEPL’s next Teen Writing Challenge is short stories in verse! Teen writers can submit an original short story for HEPL’s 7th Teen Writing Challenge. Let your creativity flow and use free verse, haikus, sonnets, acrostics, or any other form of poetry you want to tell a short story. This can be one poem or a collection of poems telling one story. If you need inspiration, check out the novel in verse display in the TeenZone!
Who: Teens in grades 6-12 living in or attending school in Fishers or Noblesville (and/or Delaware, Fall Creek, Noblesville, or Wayne township)
When: Entries are due by Saturday, August 31, 2024 by 11:59 PM
What: An original short story
Theme: Verse/ Poetry
Winners: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place receive gift cards of $50, $30, and $25, respectively (winners can choose gift cards from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Target, or Dunkin Donuts).
GUIDELINES:
- Only one entry per person
- Entry must be in the form of a short story in verse (can use any form of poetry)
- Entry must tell a complete story
- Entry must be an original work and not plagiarized
- Entry must be between 500-3,000 words
- Content should be appropriate for general teen audience
- Entry must be typed and submitted as a Word document via email to [email protected]
- The author’s NAME, GRADE, SCHOOL, EMAIL, PHONE #, and ADDRESS must be included in the email and should not be on the submitted Word document
- Entry must be submitted by Saturday, August 31, 2024 by 11:59 pm
JUDGING:
- Judges for the contest will be a mixed panel of HEPL staff (adults) and Teen Advisory Board members (teens) who do not have entries in the contest
- Submissions will be judged anonymously with only the author’s grade level visible to judges (grade level/age of author will be considered when judging)
- Judges will be looking at the following criteria:
- 500-3,000 words
- Story fits the short story in verse theme
- Appropriateness for general teen audience
- Organization and flow of the work
- Overall entertainment and readability
Winners will be announced Monday, September 30, 2024. Winning authors will be asked to return a signed permission form allowing HEPL to post their awesome work on our website.
We can’t wait to read your stories! Good luck!
If you have any questions about the contest, please email: [email protected]