Writing competitions are a fantastic way for middle schoolers to develop their creative and academic skills while exploring their unique voices. These contests provide an exciting platform to showcase talent, gain recognition, and even earn prizes or scholarships. Whether your child loves crafting imaginative stories, expressing thoughts through poetry, or reflecting on meaningful topics, there’s a competition for everyone. In this guide, we’ll introduce a variety of writing competitions tailored for students aged 11-14, along with helpful tips to make the writing and editing process more enjoyable and productive.
Competitions Open to Global Applicants
These contests welcome entries from students around the globe, providing opportunities for young writers of all nationalities.
- The New York Times Writing Contestssome text
- Eligibility: Ages 13-19 globally, currently enrolled in middle or high school.
- Categories: some text
- My List: A Different Kind of Review Contest (Jan. 15-Feb. 12, 2025): Write a review grouping three to five works of art or culture (e.g., "4 Fantasy Books to Get Lost In").
- ‘How to ...’ Informational Writing Contest (Feb. 12-March 12, 2025): Write a short description of how to do (almost) any task.
- Open Letter Contest (March 12-April 16, 2025): Write a letter to a specific person or group advocating for change on an issue that matters to you.
- Podcast Contest (April 16-May 14, 2025): Create an original podcast of no more than five minutes that informs or entertains.
- Summer Reading Contest (TBA): Weekly contest for creative responses to New York Times articles.
- Why It’s Great: Prestigious platform that promotes real-world engagement, offers publication opportunities, and enhances writing skills across multiple genres.
- Website: NYT Student Contests
- The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competitionsome text
- Eligibility: Junior (under 14) and Senior (14-18) categories for Commonwealth citizens.
- Categories: Essays on global and regional issues.
- Why It’s Great: The world’s oldest schools’ writing competition.
- Website: The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition
- Foyle Young Poets of the Year Awardsome text
- Eligibility: Ages 11-17 globally.
- Categories: Poetry.
- Why It’s Great: Offers mentorship for winners and international recognition.
- Website: Foyle Young Poets
- Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contestsome text
- Eligibility: Ages 11-18 worldwide.
- Categories: Creative writing, art, film, and more on ocean conservation themes.
- Why It’s Great: Combines environmental activism with creative expression and offers scholarships.
- Website: Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
- Taradiddle Writing Contestsome text
- Eligibility: Open to young writers globally.
- Categories: Fiction, poetry, and essays.
- Why It’s Great: Encourages creativity with prizes and publication opportunities.
- Website: Taradiddle Writing Contest
- Earth4All Creative Challengesome text
- Eligibility: Global participation.
- Categories: Writing, art, and multimedia centered on environmental themes.
- Why It’s Great: Links creativity with pressing global issues.
- Website: Earth4All Challenge
- Bluefire $1,000 for 1,000 Words Contestsome text
- Eligibility: Grades 6-12 globally.
- Categories: Fiction.
- Why It’s Great: Challenges writers to craft impactful stories with precision.
- Website: Bluefire Contest
- The Telling Room’s Writing Contestsome text
- Eligibility: Open to young writers globally.
- Categories: Poetry, short stories, and essays.
- Why It’s Great: Offers mentorship and focuses on storytelling.
- Website: Telling Room Contest
- Classical Poets International High School Poetry Competitionsome text
- Eligibility: Ages 11-18 globally.
- Categories: Poetry.
- Why It’s Great: Promotes classical forms of poetry in a modern context.
- Website: Classical Poets Competition
- Legacy Project’s Listen to a Life Essay Contestsome text
- Eligibility: Students ages 8-18 in partnership with a grandparent or elder (50+).
- Categories: Essays on a life story of the elder.
- Why It’s Great: Promotes intergenerational storytelling and relationship building.
- Website: Legacy Project Contest
- Rattle Young Poets Anthologysome text
- Eligibility: Ages 15 and under globally.
- Categories: Poetry.
- Why It’s Great: Provides a platform for young voices with publication opportunities.
- Website: Rattle Young Poets
Competitions for U.S. Citizens Only
These contests are restricted to students residing in the United States or are specific to certain regions within the country.
- NCTE Promising Young Writers Programsome text
- Eligibility: Eighth-grade students nominated by schools in the U.S., its territories, Canada, and American schools abroad.
- Categories: Themed writing assessed by educators.
- Why It’s Great: Recognizes effective writing with professional evaluation.
- Website: NCTE Promising Young Writers
- The Betty Awardsome text
- Eligibility: Ages 8-12.
- Categories: Short stories up to 1,000 words.
- Why It’s Great: Specifically tailored for younger writers with cash prizes.
- Website: The Betty Award
- The Decameron Project: Solidarity Through Writingsome text
- Eligibility: Open to students in the U.S.
- Categories: Essays and short stories reflecting on social challenges and resilience.
- Why It’s Great: Encourages reflection on meaningful topics while fostering creativity.
- Website: The Decameron Project
- National Youth Foundation Student Book Scholar Contestsome text
- Eligibility: Grades 5-8 in the U.S.
- Categories: Writing and illustrating books on specific themes.
- Why It’s Great: Combines writing and art with opportunities for publication.
- Website: National Youth Foundation Contest
- Interlochen’s Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Scholarship Competitionsome text
- Eligibility: U.S. high school students in Grades 8-11
- Categories: Fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.
- Why It’s Great: Prestigious scholarship tied to an exceptional writing program.
- Website: Virginia B. Ball Competition
- The Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder and Sense of the Wild Contestsome text
- Eligibility: Open to U.S. students.
- Categories: Intergenerational essays, poetry, or multimedia works.
- Why It’s Great: Promotes collaboration between generations and nature appreciation.
- Website: Rachel Carson Contest
- Upper New York Conference Essay Contest: A Sense of Placesome text
- Eligibility: Open to students in New York.
- Categories: Essays focusing on connection to a specific location.
- Why It’s Great: Encourages deep reflection on personal geography.
- Website: Upper New York Essay Contest
- Lion’s Club Peace Essay Contestsome text
- Eligibility: Blind or visually impaired students in the U.S.
- Categories: Essays on peace-related themes.
- Why It’s Great: Offers a unique platform for inclusivity in creative writing.
- Website: Lion’s Club Contest
How to Win Writing Competitions
Winning a writing competition isn’t just about showcasing polished grammar and flawless sentences—it’s about standing out with a piece that feels genuine, original, and memorable. To captivate judges, start by crafting a unique perspective or narrative that reflects your voice and passion. Many entries are technically sound but lack a personal connection, so focus on conveying your enthusiasm or emotional investment in the topic. Research the competition's theme or past winners to understand what resonates with the judges, then think about how you can approach the topic in a way no one else will.
A winning entry also demonstrates attention to detail in structure and language. Begin with a strong hook that grabs attention immediately, and guide readers with a clear and compelling flow. Use vivid imagery, specific examples, or creative metaphors to make your writing linger in the reader's mind. After completing your draft, edit ruthlessly. Look for sentences that could be sharper, ideas that need more clarity, or any part that doesn’t align with your main theme.
Lastly, be authentic. Judges often value sincerity over showiness, so write from the heart about what truly matters to you. Whether it’s a personal story, a creative take on the theme, or a well-argued opinion, let your unique voice shine through. Winning isn’t just about impressing the judges—it’s about making them feel something that stays with them long after they’ve read your work.
Tips for the Writing and Editing Process
- Start with a Brainstormsome text
- Before writing, take time to generate ideas. Write down everything that comes to mind without worrying about structure or logic. Use tools like lists, mind maps, or freewriting to explore different angles and themes. If you’re stuck, think about your topic from various perspectives or ask questions like, “What excites me about this?” or “What would my audience find interesting?”
- Outline Before Writingsome text
- Once you’ve brainstormed, organize your thoughts into a clear structure. For essays, plan an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. For stories, think about the beginning (setting and characters), the middle (conflict or problem), and the end (resolution). A good outline serves as a roadmap, ensuring you stay on track while writing.
- Write in Stagessome text
- Start with a rough draft focused on getting your ideas on paper. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or sentence structure initially—just let your thoughts flow. Once your draft is complete, move on to refining and polishing. Writing in stages reduces overwhelm and allows you to focus on different aspects of your work.
- Show, Don’t Tellsome text
- Instead of simply stating facts, create vivid imagery using sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste). For example, instead of saying, “She was nervous,” show it: “Her hands trembled as she clutched the microphone, and her voice wavered with each word.” This makes your writing more engaging and relatable.
- Read Aloudsome text
- Reading your work aloud helps you identify awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, or unclear ideas. Hearing your words allows you to notice rhythm and flow, ensuring your writing sounds natural and conversational.
- Edit in Layerssome text
- Approach editing systematically. Start by addressing big-picture elements, such as structure, flow, and clarity of ideas. Once those are polished, focus on smaller details like word choice, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Breaking editing into layers ensures you don’t miss important improvements.
- Take Breakssome text
- After completing a draft, step away from your work for a few hours or even a day. This break gives you fresh eyes, making it easier to spot mistakes or identify areas for improvement when you return.
- Seek Feedbacksome text
- Share your work with trusted peers, teachers, or family members for constructive feedback. Be specific about what you want them to look for, such as clarity, tone, or structure. Listen to their suggestions with an open mind but trust your instincts when deciding what changes to make.
- Proofread Carefullysome text
- Review your work multiple times to catch errors. Use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid for grammar and spelling checks, but don’t rely solely on them. Reading your work backward (sentence by sentence) can help you focus on details without getting distracted by the content.
- Embrace Revision
- Understand that writing is a process. Rarely is the first draft the best version. Be prepared to revise multiple times, cutting unnecessary parts and refining ideas. Revision isn’t about fixing mistakes—it’s about making your work as strong and compelling as possible.
- Know Your Audience
- Tailor your writing to the people who will read it. Consider their interests, knowledge level, and what they might expect or enjoy from your piece. Writing with your audience in mind helps you create a more impactful and engaging work.
- Set a Deadline
- Even if the contest deadline is far away, set smaller deadlines for yourself to complete drafts and edits. This keeps you accountable and ensures you have enough time to revise thoroughly.
- Celebrate Your Efforts
- Writing can be challenging, so take time to appreciate your progress. Whether you’ve completed a rough draft or submitted your final entry, every step is a success worth celebrating.
Participating in writing competitions over the holidays is an excellent way for students to use their free time creatively and meaningfully. It allows them to step away from daily routines, immerse themselves in storytelling, and build valuable skills like critical thinking and self-expression. These opportunities not only foster a love for writing but also inspire confidence as young writers share their perspectives with a broader audience. We hope this guide sparks an interest in writing competitions and encourages the joy of writing during this festive season and beyond!
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