New Voices: Contest for Young Writers Underway
September 2, 2009 by Lillie
The EPIC New Voices competition for young writers is well underway. Middle and high school students can win great prizes, but even entrants who don’t final win what may be the best prize of all: feedback from published writers, editors, teachers, and librarians.
Students from anywhere in the world can enter poetry, short stories, and essays. Submissions must be in English.
Young writers can also participate in the EPIC conference. What a great way to network with publishing professionals and learn about the craft and business of writing.
Guidelines and entry forms can be found on the New Voices Web site. The deadline is October 20, so encourage the teenage writers in your life to get started on their entries now.
Thanks for the heads up, this is a great award and an achievement to out future writers and poets. It’s not all about the money I’m sure, My nephew is such a good kid and can sometimes write out of this world poems, I would like to let him join here, I just my Sister have the time to guide him through this event.
Francis,
Entering the contest is simple. Your nephew can just follow the guidelines on the Web site. Your sister will have to sign a permission form for him to enter, but that’s all she needs to do. Good luck to him.
I will have to pass this on to the teenagers at my church. I do remember enjoying writing when I was younger, but I have no memory of these types of writing competitions being available to me. I wish they had been to give me more opportunities to write at that time!
C,
I don’t know of many writing contest for young writers. But of the ones that do exist, this one may be unique in that every entrant gets feedback from three judges, who are all professionals in publishing or education. I think this is more valuable than the great prizes that the winners receive. Every judge is required to say something positive; even if the work isn’t very good, the judge can commend the student for the courage to try and encourage them to keep working.
Writing contests like this are good motivations to encourage students to write more and participate in educational activities. I used to work in the education industry (school district) and we had this kind of events as well; they are very positive events!
Aaron,
All writers, especially beginning ones, need encouragement as well as feedback on their work. Events that offer those two things are always good.
This is wonderful news, Lillie!
This school year, I’ve been asked to judge the stories submitted by elementary school children at my childrens’ school. A first for me, but I’m glad to do my part to encourage reading which advances literacy.
I hope that this program is around in a few years when my children reach middle school.
Matt,
I’m glad you’re judging the stories for the contest at your children’s school. Children and young adults need to receive help and encouragement from adults doing the things they are interested in. You’re promoting literacy and also giving encouragement to children who may someday become writers.
I expect New Voices to be around a long time. It took a lot of work to get it off the ground, but it’s growing every year. The organization also sponsors a contest for published e-books, which has grow to be extremely large and the most prestigious contest for e-books. I think EPIC will keep both contests going.
We see so many reality shows on TV, we see American Idol and other such programs but we don’t see such contests or shows promoting writing. Poetry writing is somewhat lost now, people need to revive that art again into the young generation. Such contests may provide them with an opportunity to take their careers as a writer and earn good. Talent is there, someone is needed to harness it.
Ken,
Interesting idea—American Idol for writers. I guess reading is more often enjoyed as a solitary activity while listening to music/attending concerts is a group activity. But contests do help aspiring writers follow their dream.
What an excellent idea for youngster to start young, and write. They learn early about grammar, and spelling. Great post!
Michele,
Actually, the emphasis in the contest is on creativity and writing skill. We do consider the mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation) in the score, but they are not as important as the writing. We hope the kids learn the mechanics in school. We are out to encourage kids to write entertaining stories, informative essays, and moving poems.
Thanks for the info. Is the contest still on going? Can you provide updates on this? Thanks
Abigail,
The deadline for entries is October 20th. Thanks for the reminder that I should post an update.
[...] New Voices: Contest for Young Writers Underway [...]
Thanks for the heads up. My relatives might be interested..
.-= Claire@Love Letters, Love Quotes, Poems´s last blog ..Love Quotes – 3 =-.
Claire,
Thanks for spreading the word.
I appreciate the young writers are now participating in this contest.
Jan,
I hope we’re getting lots of entries.
seems like great contest definitely want to be its part.but i think i missed it.well i will wait for another one thanks for this information.
oliviya,
If you’re a junior high or high school student, you can enter next year. The contest is held annually for teen writers.
This is a great idea. More should be done to encourage children to get off their computers and to use their brains properly. When will the winner be announced?
Sue,
There are a number of winners: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, honorable mention, and judges awards in six categories as well as the grand prize winner. The winners have been notified and prizes will be presented at the EPIC conference this month in New Orleans. For winners who can’t attend the conference, their prizes will be mailed to them.
I think anything to keep kids off the streets, and doing something productive is awesome.
Don,
This contest is extremely beneficial for young people who are interested in writing.
I’m a writer myself. When I was a kid I had people in school encouraging me to write, and enter contests. Living a rather troubled childhood, that helped me to build upon skills that would later help me to get out all the built up emotions inside from all the stuff that happened to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping these children. I truly mean that.
Don,
I’m glad writing and the support and encouragement of adults made a difference in your life.
I remember how excited I was in high school when the teacher read my story to all her English classes. I want to give that same kind of thrill to other young writers.