Writing Contests With Multiple Categories

Participating in writing contests can be a great way for aspiring writers to showcase their talent, gain recognition, and even win prizes or scholarships. Writing contests with multiple categories offer a broader scope for creativity and allow writers to choose from a variety of themes or genres. Below is a list of writing contests with multiple categories that cater to different interests and writing styles:

1. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: This prestigious contest offers multiple categories, including short stories, poetry, personal essays, journalism, science fiction, and more. It is open to students in grades 7-12 and awards scholarships to winners.

Website: https://www.artandwriting.org/

2. Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition: With multiple categories like poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and screenplay, this contest attracts writers of all levels. Participants have the chance to win cash prizes and get their work published in Writer's Digest magazine.

Website: https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions

3. The Bridport Prize: This UK-based contest includes categories for short stories, poetry, flash fiction, and first novels. It attracts international writers and offers significant cash prizes to winners.

Website: https://www.bridportprize.org.uk/

4. New Voices Award: Sponsored by Lee & Low Books, this contest is specifically for children's picture books written by unpublished authors of color. It has multiple categories for different age groups.

Website: https://www.leeandlow.com/writers-illustrators/new-voices-award

5. Narrative Magazine's Annual Contest: Narrative Magazine offers various categories like fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and micro-fiction. It is open to all writers and provides cash prizes and publication opportunities.

Website: https://www.narrativemagazine.com/winter-spring-2023-story-contest

6. Glimmer Train Family Matters Contest: This contest focuses on family-themed short stories and essays. It offers separate categories for fiction and non-fiction and provides cash prizes and publication in Glimmer Train.

Website: https://www.glimmertrain.com/pages/guidelines/short_story_award_for_new_writers_guidelines.php

7. The Writer's Loft Flash Fiction Contest: This contest is dedicated to flash fiction and includes multiple categories based on word count. It is open to all writers and provides cash prizes to winners.

Website: https://writersloft.submittable.com/submit

8. The Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards: For self-published authors, this contest offers various categories, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more. Winners receive cash prizes and exposure to potential readers.

Website: https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards

9. Sequestrum Editor's Reprint Award: This contest accepts previously published works in various categories, such as fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. It provides cash prizes and publication in Sequestrum.

Website: https://www.sequestrum.org/editors-reprint-award

10. The Moth Short Story Prize: This international contest offers multiple categories for short stories, and winners receive cash prizes and have their work published in The Moth magazine.

Website: https://themothmagazine.com/a1-page.asp?ID=6516&page=6

When participating in writing contests, make sure to carefully review the guidelines and submission requirements for each category. Writing contests with multiple categories offer writers diverse opportunities to showcase their skills and explore various genres, making it a rewarding experience for all participants.

Fiction Writing Contests for High School Students

Participating in fiction writing contests can be an excellent opportunity for high school students to showcase their creative talents, gain recognition, and even win prizes or scholarships. Below is a list of fiction writing contests specifically designed for high school students:

1. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: One of the most prestigious contests for young writers, the Scholastic Awards offer multiple categories, including short stories, flash fiction, and science fiction. It is open to students in grades 7-12 and awards scholarships to winners.

Website: https://www.artandwriting.org/

2. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose: This contest is exclusively for high school students and includes categories for fiction, flash fiction, and poetry. Winners receive cash prizes and publication in Adroit Journal.

Website: https://www.theadroitjournal.org/

3. YoungArts Competition: While primarily focused on the arts, YoungArts also offers a writing category, including fiction and creative non-fiction. It accepts submissions from students in grades 10-12 and provides financial awards and mentorship opportunities.

Website: https://youngarts.org/

4. Skipping Stones Youth Honor Awards: This contest encourages young writers to explore themes of multiculturalism, environmental stewardship, and social justice through fiction. It is open to students aged 7-17, and winners receive a subscription to Skipping Stones magazine.

Website: https://www.skippingstones.org/

5. The Claremont Review: Specifically for young writers aged 13-19, The Claremont Review accepts submissions of fiction, poetry, and art. Winners are featured in the magazine and receive cash prizes.

Website: https://www.theclaremontreview.ca/

6. Justis International Writing Competition: This global contest accepts fiction submissions from high school students worldwide. It provides an excellent platform for young writers to share their work on an international stage.

Website: https://www.justiswritingcompetition.com/

7. The Blank Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival: Although primarily focused on playwriting, this festival also accepts submissions of original short stories and monologues. It is open to students aged 19 and under.

Website: https://www.theblank.com/young-playwrights/

8. The Bennington Young Writers Awards: High school students in grades 10-12 can submit their fiction and poetry to this contest. Winners receive cash prizes and have the opportunity to attend a summer writing workshop at Bennington College.

Website: https://www.bennington.edu/events/young-writers-awards

9. Princeton University Poetry Contest for High School Students: This annual contest is open to high school students across the globe and includes a category for fiction. Winners receive cash prizes and have their work published in Princeton's journal, "The Princeton Tiger."

Website: https://www.princetontigerpoetry.com/

10. River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest: While primarily focused on poetry and art, this contest also accepts illustrated short stories. It is open to students aged 5-19, and winners receive cash prizes and have their work published in the River of Words anthology.

Website: https://www.riverofwords.org/

When entering fiction writing contests, students should carefully read the guidelines and submission requirements for each contest. These contests offer a platform for young writers to express their creativity and passion for storytelling, making it a valuable experience on their writing journey.

Nonfiction Contests for High School Students

Participating in nonfiction writing contests can be a rewarding experience for high school students who are interested in expressing their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives through essays, memoirs, and other forms of nonfiction writing. Below is a list of nonfiction writing contests specifically designed for high school students:

1. The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest: This contest is open to U.S. high school students in grades 9-12. Participants are required to submit an original essay of 700-1,000 words, focusing on an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official. Winners receive cash prizes and scholarships.

Website: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest

2. The New York Times Learning Network Student Contests: The New York Times offers various nonfiction writing contests for high school students throughout the year. These contests may focus on topics like current events, personal reflections, or even social issues. Winning entries may be published on The New York Times website.

Website: https://www.nytimes.com/section/learning/contest

3. The Princeton University Ten-Minute Play Contest: Although primarily focused on playwriting, this contest also accepts nonfiction submissions in the form of monologues or dialogues. It is open to high school students in the United States, and winners receive cash prizes.

Website: https://arts.princeton.edu/academics/lewis-center-writing/ten-minute-play-contest/

4. The Fleet Reserve Association Essay Contest: This national contest is open to U.S. students in grades 7-12. It invites students to write essays on patriotic themes related to American history and values. Winners receive cash prizes and have the chance to compete at the national level.

Website: https://www.fra.org/fra/Web/Events_and_Programs/7_12th_Grade_Essay_Contest/Web/Content/7-12th_Grade_Essay_Contest.aspx

5. The World History Association Student Essay Contest: High school students from around the world can participate in this contest, which focuses on historical nonfiction essays. Winners receive cash prizes and have their work published in The World History Bulletin.

Website: https://www.thewha.org/student-essay-contest

6. The John Locke Institute Essay Competition: This international contest invites high school students to submit nonfiction essays on various philosophical topics. Winners receive cash prizes and have their essays published on the institute's website.

Website: https://www.johnlocke.ac.uk/essay-competition

7. The EngineerGirl Essay Contest: Organized by the National Academy of Engineering, this contest is open to both boys and girls in grades 3-12. It encourages students to explore engineering and technology through nonfiction essays. Winners receive cash prizes.

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Website: https://www.engineergirl.org/108804/2022-essay-contest

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8. The Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests: Ayn Rand's novels serve as the inspiration for these contests, which include categories for high school students. Participants are required to write essays based on the themes presented in Rand's works. Cash prizes and scholarships are awarded to winners.

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Website: https://www.aynrand.org/students/essay-contests

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When participating in nonfiction writing contests, students should carefully review the guidelines and submission requirements for each contest. These contests offer students a platform to share their unique perspectives and insights, and winning entries can lead to recognition and valuable writing experience.

Playwriting Contests for High School Students

Participating in playwriting contests can be a great opportunity for high school students with a passion for theater and storytelling. These contests provide a platform to showcase their creativity and talent in playwriting. Below is a list of playwriting contests specifically designed for high school students:

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1. The Young Playwrights Inc. National Playwriting Competition: This contest is open to high school students in the United States. Participants are invited to submit original plays of any genre, with a running time of 1 to 45 minutes. Winners receive cash prizes and have their plays performed by professional actors.

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Website: https://youngplaywrights.org/programs/national-playwriting-competition/

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2. The Blank Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival: Open to U.S. high school students, this contest seeks original plays with a running time of 12 to 25 minutes. Selected winners have their plays produced and performed by industry professionals in a theater festival in Los Angeles.

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Website: https://www.theblank.com/programs/young-playwrights/

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3. The British Theatre Challenge: While primarily an international contest, this playwriting competition accepts submissions from high school students worldwide. Participants are asked to submit short plays with a running time of 10 to 30 minutes. Winners have the chance to see their plays performed in London.

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Website: https://www.skylightrain.com/britishtheatrechallenge/

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4. The Young Voices Foundation Playwriting Competition: This contest is open to high school students in the United States and Canada. Participants are encouraged to submit plays that explore social issues and relevant themes. Selected winners have their plays performed by professional actors in New York City.

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Website: https://youngvoicesfoundation.org/playwriting-competition/

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5. The Boston University Playwriting Competition: This contest is open to U.S. high school students. Participants are invited to submit original one-act plays with a running time of 30 to 45 minutes. Winners receive cash prizes and have their plays performed at Boston University.

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Website: https://www.bu.edu/cfa/academics/theatre/fall-theatre/playwriting-competition/

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6. The Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contest: Although primarily focused on science fiction and fantasy, this contest also accepts submissions of one-act plays from high school students. Winners receive cash prizes and have their plays published in an anthology.

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Website: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/enter-writer-contest/

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7. The Georgia High School Playwriting Competition: Open to high school students in Georgia, this contest invites original plays in any genre. Winners receive cash prizes and have their plays performed by professional actors.

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Website: https://www.georgiastateschooloftheatre.com/high-school-playwriting-competition

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Participating in playwriting contests allows high school students to showcase their creativity, hone their writing skills, and gain recognition for their work. Before submitting their plays, students should carefully review the guidelines and requirements of each contest. Winning entries can lead to exciting opportunities, such as having their plays performed on stage or published in anthologies.

Conclusion

Participating in writing contests can be an excellent way for high school students to showcase their creativity, hone their writing skills, and gain recognition for their talent. These contests provide a platform for young writers to express themselves, explore different genres, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals. Winning or being recognized in these contests can boost confidence, open doors to future opportunities, and even lead to scholarships or publication opportunities. Overall, these writing contests offer valuable experiences that can inspire and encourage the next generation of writers to continue pursuing their passion for literature and storytelling.