It's All Write: Short Story Contest for Teens

It's All Write: Short Story Contest for Teens

The 2023 contest is underway

LCPL's annual short-story contest for Grades 6-12 is back! Middle- and high-school students can submit entries below until  March 1 for a shot at cash prizes. 

Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on Saturday, May 27, from 4-7 p.m. at Eagle Ridge Middle School hosted by author Lillie Lainoff.

It's All Write is sponsored by the James Horton for the Arts Trust Fund and the Loudoun Library Foundation.

Download the 2022 It's All Write anthology.

It's All Write events

Creative Writing Workshop
Thursday, Jan. 5, 6 p.m.
Ashburn Library

It's All Writing Club: Writing Rivals
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6 p.m.
Online

It's All Writing Club: Making an Impact with Author Andrew Joseph White
Saturday, Jan. 21, 1 p.m.
Brambleton Library

It's All Writing Club: Writing Animals
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 4 p.m.
Online

It's All Writing Club: Editing Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 4, 1 p.m.
Sterling Library

Writing Workshop: Winter Musing
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.
Cascades Library

It's All Writing Club: Editing Workshop
Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m.
Gum Spring Library

It's All Writing Club: Editing Workshop
Thursday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m.
Cascades Library

It's All Writing Club: Writing and Editing Workshop
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m.
Gum Spring Library

2022 WINNERS

High School Winners

First Place
College, Cruelty, and Other Things That Eat People, by Hanaan Kazia

Second Place
Unmarriageable, by Miriam Gale

Third Place
Plumbism, by Salonee Verma 

Runners Up
Baby Birds and Black Dresses, by Maggie Chang
Coffee, Kardashians, and Teenage Demons, by Teah Sargent

Middle School Winners

First Place
Strangeday, by Norah McCormick

Second Place
That Cafe Charm, by Sofia Lupas

Third Place
Beats of Silence, by Joelle Dykstra

Runners-Up
The Butter Knife, by Ariana Blake
In-Between-Place, by Lily Peterson

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please follow directions carefully. Incorrect submissions may be disqualified. Questions? Email itsallwrite@library.loudoun.gov.

Submission requirements

  • Accepted works include: Fiction, narrative nonfiction, stories-in-verse
  • Unaccepted works include: Poetry anthologies, fanfiction
  • Submission deadline: March 1
  • Format requirements: Microsoft Word-readable document or PDF
  • Length: 2,500 words or less
  • Spacing: Double
  • Margins: 1-inch
  • Font: Arial, 12 point
  • Document name:
    Your school level (MIDDLE or HIGH) followed by the story title
    Example: HIGH The End of the Road.doc
    DO NOT include your name in the file name.

Title page format

  • Title of story
  • Middle or High School

Example:
The End of the Road
High School

Last page format

  • Title
  • Middle or High School
  • Name
  • Grade, School Name
  • City, State
  • Phone Number(s)
  • Email
  • Word Count

Example:
The End of the Road
High School
Jane Doe
Grade 11, East Loudoun High School
Ashling, VA 
222-222-2222 (home)
333-333-3333 (cell)
Jane.Doe21@mail.com
Word Count: 2,403

 

Frequently asked questions

What should I write about? Is there a theme?

We don’t have a theme! This is your chance to get creative. In the past we’ve received stories that were inspired by real life, fantasy, mystery, adventure, even horror. We only require the story be original (no fanfiction).


Do you have a word limit? Why?

Stories must be 2,500 words or less. We receive a lot of submissions. We want to make sure everyone gets a fair chance. We don’t want external factors such as font size to influence our judgment. We also want to make sure there is enough time for us to read all submissions.


Do I have to be a Loudoun County resident or hold a Loudoun County Library card to take part in the contest?

You do not need to be a Loudoun County Public Library card-holder to enter. You must live in either Loudoun or in the cities Falls Church, Alexandria, Winchester or the District of Columbia; Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William, Clarke or Frederick counties in Virginia; Jefferson County, West Virginia; or Montgomery, Washington, Prince George's, Frederick or Charles counties in Maryland to enter.


Who judges the submissions?

Teen services librarians read all of the submissions and select their top five choices for middle school and high school.


Where and when is the awards ceremony?

The results of the contest will be announced during an awards ceremony on Saturday, May 27, from 4-7 p.m. at Eagle Ridge Middle School hosted by author Lillie Lainoff.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK