Sprouting Ink: Opportunities

Upcoming Writing Contest Deadlines

Hi, welcome to our list of upcoming writing contest deadlines for young writers! Writing contests are a great way to challenge yourself to specific prompts and deadlines, and can be a way to gain recognition and many a bit of money :)

That being said, I do want to put it out there that you shouldn't let the results of any of these contests hold too much weight -- a lot of these are truly based on luck as well, and aren't the best reflections of your writing abilities. Be aware of rejection, but don't let it deter you from entering. It's still pretty fun, and also helps build character in some ways.

I'll be aiming to update this list monthly, and will include all contests within two months days. In the case I find myself too busy to update (college applications coming up!), please check out the links to some amazing resources for writing opportunities below. Best of luck, and go kick some butt!

(publish date = last time it was updated)

(wc = word count)

Varies for each state: National PTA Reflections Awards

AGES: grades pre-k to 12th
2021-22 THEME: I Will Change the World By...
2022-23 THEME: Show Your Voice!

If you're looking for more contests or want to look farther ahead (especially if you're interested in essay contests!), I recommend using NewsPages and Lumiere Review's list of lit mags' submissions. Happy writing!

August 10, 2021

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Opportunities

Sierra Poetry Festival

Hi all! So originally, I was going to put National Poetry Month events under that post, but this festival was just too good of an opportunity to not have it's own!

I present to you (drumroll please)... The Sierra Poetry Festival!

This festival is completely free, although you do also have the option of making a donation during registration at the "check-out".

Their theme this year is Re-membering, and people of all ages can sign up for the various workshops offered on April 10th and 11th, along with the pop-up events that'll occur in the days leading up to the festival and throughout April. Again, FREE OF CHARGE!

I want to highly encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities presented by the festival if you're free, because I'm sure it'll not only be incredibly valuable to us as writers, but fun as well :)

Please peruse their offerings on their website, found here, and I hope to see you there!

April 08, 2021

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Opportunities

Tracking Submissions

Hey wonderful people! Hope you've had a fantastic month of March, and a very lucky St. Patricks Day! As one of the main features of this site is the young writers contest list, I thought I'd just remind you of the importance of tracking all of your submissions and setting submission goals for yourself.

Submission Goals

Setting goals for the number of entries/ submissions you have is a wonderful way to remind yourself to get out there! I recommend setting a firm goal of a certain number (mine is 2 or 3, depending on the month), because being vague might result in what's happened to most of our New Year's Resolutions... poof! or useless.

Tracker

A phenomenal way to keep yourself accountable for your goals is creating a submission tracker! This can be done two ways: through Submittable (which is where many magazines and contests conduct submissions through) or on a Google Sheet.

Submittable offers a list of what you've submitted through it, what the piece was called, the status of the submission, date, and where you submitted it to. For your submissions that weren't conducted through Submittable, you have the option to "Create a Universal Submission" and keep track of it that way.

Through Google Sheets, you would more or less be creating the same type of system, except of course you'd have to input everything yourself. Here's a template created by Exposition Review you can use! (click on photo)

I highly recommend pinning either the Google Sheet or the Submittable tab just so you don't forget about your goals and can easily access your tracker.

Best of luck to all of you submitting, and happy writing!

March 20, 2021

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Opportunities

Upcoming Writing Workshops

(publish date = last time it was updated)

Writing workshops are perhaps one of the funnest activities a writer can partake in, especially considering that outside of collaborations and editing, the majority of writing is done by one person. Yourself. Usually at a cluttered desk or when your half asleep, so you wouldn't want anyone to see you anyway. But I promise all you people who are hovering over the back button-- it's worth it. So, you got this and you're welcome :)

3/2/21 UPDATE: I will no longer be trying to update this page with individual workshops because the contest page already has my head spinning. Rather, I'll leave the links to all the places where I typically find these workshops. Thank you for your understanding!

Young Writers Project

writing workshop (moderated by adults) once a month for YWP members (ages 13-18)
Oh Snap! Open Mic once a month (moderated by teens) for YWP members (ages 13-18)

Poetry Foundation

always has a ton of free events & workshops for all ages (although there are sometimes teen workshops I've seen around)
every month there are 1-2 on a specific type/part of poetry and writing

L. Ron Hubbard's Free Online Writing Workshop

for all ages & intermediate level story writers

Young Willamette Writers

First Saturday (10:00-11:30 PST) of every month for any student ages (13-18)
typically for teens in Oregon or Canada, but opened up to visitors bc of virtual format
email for zoom link

NOTE: Like the writing contests and communities, I try my best to vet these workshops before I place them on this page, but ultimately I cannot make any guarantees about the safety of these workshops, nor the quality of their content. Please use your own discretion, and if at any point you feel unsafe (beyond nerves) in one of these workshops, I would recommend either messaging the moderator or leaving. (Also, please let me know via comment below so I can take it down or put a warning)

March 02, 2021

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Opportunities

Publications to Submit To!

(publication date = last time updated)

Hi guys! I'm hoping to create a post on publication prepping tips soon, but seeing as this one took a while to get to, I think I'll leave you with a few slivers of advice just in case: read pieces the publication has published before submitting and adhere to their submission guidelines to the T. Also-- I'd love if you guys could help me build this list! Just comment down below any publications you've enjoyed reading or submitting to, and I'll check it out + add it. We can all help one another out :)

4/30: Polyphony Lit

AGES: high school students
READING FEE? no (submissions via submissions manager)
CATEGORIES: Poetry (up to 80 lines), fiction & creative nonfiction (<1,800 words + double spaced)
REQ: do not put name of piece
# OF SUBMISSIONS? 3 pieces across the three genres
NOTES:

one really huge draw for this publication is that they give feedback on all pieces submitted prior to 3/31 (highly recommend that this opportunity is taken advantage of! :),
all previously unpublished pieces become eligible for Claudia Ann Seaman Award,
& if you have the time check out their really cool blog, past editions, and other features on their website!

(whenever): Rattle

AGES: all ages (for general submissions, includes adults)
READING FEE? no (submissions via submissions manager)
CATEGORIES: Poetry
# OF SUBMISSIONS? no limits
NOTES:

Ekphrastic Challenge is one of my favorites to partake in every month (writing from art),
a fantastic place to read other people's poems,
& Rattle Young Poets Anthology that opens up & closes in the fall (will update you guys on that)

January 10, 2021

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Opportunities

WriteGirl

WriteGirl was the first resource I found as a writer, and becoming a member really pushed me to explore what creative writing was.

This organization is based in LA, but with COVID, all of their monthly workshops have moved online and as a result, they've welcomed girls from other areas as well! The workshops are always overflowing with support and good energy, and all in all it's awesome to gather with other young writers and interact with their famous guests. They also have an optional program where they can match you with a writing mentor, and I have had the best times with my mentor, Nina, in our weekly sessions. In addition, they have a form to submit your work so that whenever organizations come looking for writing, yours will be considered. And for juniors and seniors, they offer leadership opportunities and college help as well!

Unfortunately there isn't a program for boys quite yet, but from the looks of their website it's in the works! However, there are the WriteGirl Planets Magazines that are free for anyone to read under their Clubhouse page. For girls who would like to become a WriteGirl or would like more information, here is their website. It's really amazing to me that membership is free consider all you get out of WriteGirl, so I would highly recommend you guys take advantage of this opportunity/resource. :)

September 20, 2020

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Upcoming Writing Contest Deadlines

Sierra Poetry Festival

Tracking Submissions

Upcoming Writing Workshops

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