Write the World Series Writing Contest
Write the World is a renowned global writing community established at Harvard University for young writers worldwide. This monthly competition is developed around a particular idea or genre of writing– such as poetry, fantasy, sports journalism, or flash fiction. Through multiple competitions throughout the year, students are encouraged to develop their voices, refine their editing skills, and publish on an international platform.
Upcoming Competitions:
- June: Personal Essay Competition (400-1000 words)
- July: Journalism Competition (400-1000 words)
- August: Flash Fiction Competition (1-100 words)
Eligibility: Young writers age 13-18
Bennington College Young Writers Awards
Hosted by Bennington College, the Bennington College Young Writers Awards boast a unique literary heritage, including nine Pulitzer Prize winners, three U.S. Poet Laureates, four MacArthur Geniuses, numerous New York Times bestsellers, and one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. The competition promotes excellence in writing at the high school level and recognizes outstanding writing achievement by high school students.
Categories:
- Poetry: A group of three poems
- Fiction: A short story (1,500 words or fewer) or one-act play (run no more than 30 minutes)
- Nonfiction: A personal or academic essay (1,500 words or fewer)
Competition Dates: Generally runs from September 1 to November 1 each year
Eligibility: Global students in grades 9-12
New York Times Summer Reading Contest
Since 2010, the New York Times has held a 10-week Summer Reading Contest each summer, with over 90,000 students participating. The New York Times Summer Reading Contest invites students to choose something that has sparked their interest in The Times. At the end of every week, judges from the Times newsroom pick their favorite responses, and the winner’s work will be published in The NY Times.
Competition Dates: June 7, 2024, to August 16, 2024
Eligibility: Global students aged 13-19
New York Times 100-Word Narrative Contest
This annual writing competition by the New York Times challenges participants to write a meaningful true story in no more than 100 words. These short memoirs can be on any topic or experience, and should be engaging and reflective.
Competition Dates: Expected to be from October to November 2024
Eligibility: Global students aged 13-19
New York Times Student Review Contest
The New York Times Student Review Contest allows students to express their thoughts and opinions on various subjects– such as architecture, art, books, cars, comedy, dance, fashion, hotels, movies, music, restaurants, and technology.
Competition Dates: Expected to be from November to December 2024
Eligibility: Global students aged 13-19
Foyle Young Poets Competition
The Foyle Young Poets Competition, one of the most prestigious global competitions since 1998, selects 15 winners and 85 commended poets annually. It allows young writers to showcase their work and receive support and guidance from renowned poets.
Submission Deadline: July 31, 2024
Submission Requirements: Poems can be on any theme or style but must not exceed 40 lines. There is no limit on the number of submissions.
Eligibility: Global students aged 11-17
Harvard International Review Summer Essay Competition
Hosted by the Harvard International Review, this competition encourages students to focus on and research international issues. Essays are judged by a panel of journal editors and Harvard scholars.
2024 Themes:
- Theme A: Inequalities in a VUCA World
- Theme B: Global Challenges and Collective Actions
Word Count: 800-1200 words (excluding charts, tables, or author statements)
Competition Dates:
- Submission Deadline: August 31, 2024
- Final Event: October 5, 2024
Eligibility: Global students in grades 9-12
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a prestigious and long-standing competition in the US, seeks creative works from students in grades 7-12. Since 1923, it has recognized young talent and provided a platform for creative teenagers.
The Scholastic Awards offers 28 categories of art and writing.
Art Categories: Architecture & Industrial Design, Ceramics & Glass, Comic Art, Design, Digital Art, Drawing & Illustration, Editorial Cartoon, Expanded Projects Fashion, Film & Animation, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Art Portfolio (graduating seniors)
Writing Categories: Critical Essay, Dramatic Script, Flash Fiction, Journalism, Humor, Novel Writing, Personal Essay & Memoir, Poetry, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Short Story, Writing Portfolio (graduating seniors)
Eligibility: Students must be in grades 7–12, age 13 years or older as of the entry date, and residing in the United States, U.S. territories or military bases, or Canada.
Competition Dates: The competition generally starts in September, with deadlines between December and January, depending on the participant’s region.
The Alexandrian Review
The Alexandrian Review, an international literary magazine run by high school students in North Carolina, aims to amplify the stories of underrepresented voices and offers feedback from other young writers.
Submission Period: April 7, 2024, to July 31, 2024
Submission Requirements:
Works must be written in English or Spanish.
Poetry: No more than 80 lines.
Fiction/Non-fiction: No more than 2000 words.
No academic papers or op-eds.
Only one submission per person.
Eligibility: Global students aged 10-20
Note: All information is sourced from the respective competition websites. Please refer to the official websites for the most up-to-date details.
Participating in these international writing competitions is an excellent way for high school students to enhance their writing skills, gain international recognition, and build a strong portfolio for college applications. Whether you are interested in poetry, short stories, journalism, or critical essays, there is a competition that suits your interests and talents! As you plan your summer activities, consider dedicating time to these writing competitions to develop your skills, challenge yourself creatively, and connect with a global community of young writers. Good luck, and happy writing!
Join Aralia’s Writing Competition Preparation Classes
Aralia Education offers an online class for students competing in various writing competitions. Aralia has a proven track record of creating successful and award-winning students yearly! We exclusively vet teachers with impressive teaching backgrounds in top-ranking US prep schools and show genuine, detailed care for our student’s academic and personal growth. Contact us for more information about the below classes!
