PUBLICATION VENUES FOR YOUNG WRITERS

LOCAL

  • The Prodigy Review accepts poetry, prose and nonfiction by high school students in the greater Rochester area. Contact Karen vanMeenen (585-473-2590, x. 104) at Writers & Books, 740 University Avenue, Rochester New York 14607 or e-mail: karen@wab.org. Web site: www.wab.org/prodigy

  • Sokol Awards 2 sponsored by the Friends of the Rochester Public Library; separate fiction and poetry categories; first, second and third prizes in each category; open to all Monroe County students in grades 9-12; deadline in January; can submit in both categories but only one submission in each. For information contact the Rochester Public Library, 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604-1896.

  • Orrin T. Shapiro Memorial Writing Contest 2 deadline in April; open to Rochester City School students grades 11-12; separate creative and expository categories; writers must be nominated by a teacher; one grand prize in each category of $1000. For information see your English teacher.

  • Rochester Shorts Magazine accepts submissions from all Rochester-area writers. For more information call 585-251-2051, email roshorts@frontiernet.net or write to Rochester Shorts, 2164 Baird Road, Penfield, NY 14526.

  • Hazmat publishes poetry and prose. For information write to Hazmat, P.O. Box 507, Rochester, NY 14603.

  • Desperate Act accepts poetry, prose and nonfiction works. For information write P.O. Box 1081, Pittsford, NY 14534 or email desact@aol.com

  • Ralph P. Kepner Memorial Scholarship Award Program 2 sponsored by the local Society for Technical Communication; open to all Monroe County students in grades 9-12; multiple prizes ranging from $100 to $250. For information write to the Society for Technical Communication, Rochester Chapter, 42 Knollwood Drive, Churchville, NY 14428 or call Judy Hensley at 585-724-7978.

  • Annual Literary Awards 2 Sponsored by the Friends of the Brighton Memorial Library. Cash prizes awarded, open to students in grades 6-12 who live or attend school in Brighton. Call 585-784-5342 for more information.

 

NATIONAL

  • Scholastic writing Awards 2 deadline is in January; many different categories including short story, poetry and nonfiction; open to all students grades 9-12; recipients may receive cash awards, scholarships, certificates and publishing opportunities. For more information contact The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 or e-mail a&wgeneralinfo@scholastic.com

  • Hanging Loose is a monthly magazine that accepts work from young writers. Send submissions to High School Editor, Hanging Loose, 231 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

  • Andar Prize for Literary Excellence 2 awarded by El Andar magazine with the goal of inspiring young people to write about Latin life and experiences in the United States. Writers can submit works in either Spanish or English or a mix of both languages; two awards will be made in each of the following categories: Poetry, Fiction and Creative Nonfiction; first prize in each category is $1000, second prize is $200. For more information e-mail award@elandar.com

  • The Paula Award 2 sponsored by Isabel Allende in memory of her daughter Paula. Writers 18 and younger may submit poetry, fiction or creative nonfiction; first prize is $1000 and second prize is $200; ten honorable mentions are also selected in each category. For more information e-mail award@elandar.com

  • The Comstock Review, Muriel Craft Bailey Award 2 awards include $1000 and publication in The Comstock Review. Submit unpublished poems of no more than 30 lines, with an entry fee of $3.00 per poem by July 1 to The Comstock Review, Muriel Craft Bailey Award, 4958 St. John Drive, Syracuse NY 13215. For complete guidelines call 315-488-8077.

  • The Ledge 2 award of $1000 and publication in The Ledge; open to any length or style of poem. Submit manuscript with an entry fee of $10.00 for the first three poems, and $3.00 for each additional poem by June 30 to The Ledge, Poetry Award, 78-4480 Street, Glendale, NY 11385, Attention: Tim Monagham, editor and publisher.

  • Blue Jean accepts poetry and prose from teen women for their online and print journal, where /women unite to change the world.” For information visit bluejeanonline.com

  • Literal Latté 2 award of $1000 and publication in Literal Latté; submit up to six works of prose, poetry or art, with an entry fee of $10, by July 1, to Literal Latté Poetry Award, 61 East 8th Street, Suite 240, New York, NY 10003. For complete guidelines send a self-addressed stamped envelope, e-mail lilatte@aol.com or visit www.literal-latte.com

  • Candlewick Press seeks poems, essays and true stories by American Indian adults and teens, age 12-22. Send an SASE for information to Betsy, Candlewick Press, Box 60487, Palo Alto, CA 94306 or email francobe@aol.com

  • Young Poets Contest 2 cash awards; open to grades 4-12. Send submissions to Young Poets Contest, 90 North 100 East, Logan, Ut 84321 or visit www.youngpoets.com

  • The May Swenson Poetry Award 2 Annual competition seeks original poetry. Winners receive cash prizes. Visit www.usu.edu/usupress/poetcomp.htm for more information.

  • The Robert Frost Poetry Award 2 Seeks poems written in the spirit of Robert Frost. Cash prizes. Contact Matt Kraunelis, The Robert Frost Poetry Award, 90 Mount Vernon Street, Lawrence, MA 01843 or call 978-725-8828

  • USA Weekend’s Student Fiction Contest 2 Open to grades 9-12, for short fiction stories. Call 402-426-4701 for information. College scholarships will be awarded to five finalists.

  • Teen publishing venues on the web 2 the web site www.teenlit.com is chock-full of places to publish. With numerous links and contact information, it’s a wonderful place to explore, either for contests or less competitive writing opportunities.

 

OTHER

  • Consider taking creative writing courses at local colleges, recreation centers or continuing education programs. If nothing is offered specifically for young writers, teens are often welcome in adult classes. Writers & Books (585-473-2590) has specific classes for all ages 8 and up, as well as adult classes in a broad variety of subjects, from how to get your poetry published to how to write a novel. Some of the classes do final readings and/or publications, and writers’ groups often form from meeting people in these classes.

  • Older teens should consider going to readings, open mics and /slams.” It is a good way to meet other writers and hear new work.

  • Internships for learning editing, proofreading, book layout, or journalism may be available at local publications, especially those directed toward teens, and at Writers & Books. Inquire!

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