It's All Write: Short Story Contest for Teens

It's All Write: Short Story Contest for Teens

Thank you for participating!

The 2024 competition has ended.

This year's keynote speaker was Amina Luqman-Dawson, author of Freewater and winner of the 2023 Newbery and Coretta Scott King awards.

Saturday, May 18, 4 p.m.
Eagle Ridge Middle School

Prizes were awarded to the first, second and third place winners in the middle school and high school categories.

  • First place: $200
  • Second place: $100
  • Third place: $50

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

2024 WINNERS

High School Winners

First Place
Requiem of the Rear-Garde by John Kelly

Second Place
Conglomerate by Clara Bloom

Third Place
Human/Nature by Katie Varachi

Runners-Up
Cake from the Bakery on 7th by Sanica Rao
The Woebegone Woman by Sophia Campbell

Honorable Mentions
The Destruction of Leviathan by Grace Callahan
Three Second Delay by Lindsay Klinge
Ink by Sofia Ocasio
The Perfect Pair by Felicity Vogl
Forget Me Not by Anna Yao

Middle School Winners

First Place
Death's Dilemma by Maithreya Viswanathan

Second Place
The Shape of Love by Kuhoo Srivastava

Third Place
Mountain of the Weavers by Krystal Garn

Runners-Up
Chances to Dances by Alexander Brandt
The Great Rubber Ducky Uprising by Hannah Pogany

Honorable Mentions
A Phone Call Home by Annika Shah
Caroline by Mati Blackford
Cycles by Faye Sylvester
To See Beyond by Clare Ceigersmidt
The Ill-Fated Magician by Ryan Posid

 

Download the 2024 It's All Write anthology.

 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

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

Submission requirements

  • Accepted works include: Fiction, including stories-in-verse
  • Unaccepted works include: Poetry anthologies, nonfiction, 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

Click here to submit your entry.

 

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 that the story be original (no fanfiction, nonfiction or poetry).

Do you have a word limit? Why?

Stories must be 2,500 words or less. We receive a lot of submissions and 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.

Can I submit a story with multiple authors?

Yes, you may co-author your short story as long as all authors qualify to enter the competition. Include a final page for each individual author’s information. If a story with multiple authors wins, prize money will be split evenly among the authors.

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 have a Loudoun County Public Library card to enter. You must live in Loudoun or in one of our reciprocal jurisdictions:

  • Cities of Falls Church, Alexandria, Winchester or the District of Columbia
  • Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William, Clarke and Frederick Counties
  • West Virginia: Jefferson County
  • Maryland: Montgomery, Washington, Prince George's, Frederick and Charles Counties

Who judges the submissions?

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