Read, Write, Draw
Writing and Drawing Contests

Are there any short story writing contest that my friend and I could enter? It has to be a short story contest and the way to submit it.

Good story plot for a short story writing contest? ok...we have this short storing writing contest in our school and our class president signed me up... I have no idea what to write about and most especially, what my plot would be... help please? the theme is: "Youth as a Catalyst for a Change" ok...lol additional details xD what does the theme mean? lol i really don't understand it completely :p

So theres a short story writing contest..? The winner gets their story published in the yearbook. It can be about anything but it has to be appropriate for school (obviously). I was just wondering if anyone could give me ideas.. I'm sort of in a writers block, but once I get an idea I find it easy to write about. Thanks ?

Short Story Writing and Illustrators Contest for Canadians? Short story writing and Illustrators Contest. Win $300 advance plus 1 yr publishing contract. This is open for all Canadians, free of charge in the Romance, Sensual and Fantasy writers and illustators. Any length and style in the following categories: romance, sensual, fantasy and historicals. Dealine is June 30'06. If a category is not listed kindly let know.

Do you know of any short story writing contests? Do you know of any short story writing contests, preferably under 1000 words, but anything really. Or perhaps even better, is there a website or resource that provides listings for such types of contests? Thanks

Does anyone know of any good short story writing contests for freshmen in high school? I love writing and am looking for some contest please tell me if you know of any! (like I said I'm in 9th grade) Thank you!!!

Should you copyright your manuscript before you submit it to a short story contest? I want to submit some short stories that I wrote to a writing contest, but I have not had them copyrighted yet.

Short Story writing contests? yeah... so I'm doing this project that'll basically either pass me or flunk me. Maybe you've heard of it. It's CIM Capstone. You have to pose a question and answer it. Mine?: How can I promote creative writing within my school? What I need to know: Are there any GOOD sites out there that focus on Short story writing contests? Or really any kind of writing contest, save for Poetry. So. whatever you all can give, it'd most likely help my research. In case you were wondering, I'm hosting a writing contest for 1,500 High school kids. Yeah. Go figure.

Any good poetry/short story writing contests for teens? I live in metro detroit, if that has any bearing on it. ^^ I don't really care if there a prize, and I won't pay an entry fee. Thanks!

Does anyone know a short-story contest? Any other writing contests?

Short story ideas for writing contest? ok so i'm entering a student writing contest because i think i'm a good enough writer to have a chance at winning. Anyway i need some really good ideas for a short story because i've got writers block and need you guy's help. I want it to be heart touching and a real thriller, so if you have any suggestions they are greatly appreciated. btw, 10 points!! :)

Does anyone know of any short story writing contests that pay out cash prizes?

do you know any short story contests? Hello. I wanted to know if any of you knew of short story writing contests for high school students in America, and where you can sign up for one. Also if it is limited to certain states. Thank-you.

Short Story Writing Contests For Money? are there any contests you know of for short stories that would make a substantial about of money? i've heard of ones that pay thousands..if they ask you to pay for a submission is it forsure a scam?

If my short story is similar to an established story do I have to cite them? I'm entering a short story writing contest and came up with a couple of plots. Of the plots, there were some that were similar to established stories. Would I have to cite them just because of a similar plot? Beauty & The Beast- In my story, one character's a beast (due to a curse) while the other's a beauty and they fall in love. Cinderella- In my story, it's a modern tale of Cinderella.

I am writing a short story for a contest any ideas for a theme? It's theme HAS to be an enexpected adventure! And the charecter(s) have to learn a lesson

Any good, FREE writing contests for Short Story or Fiction? I've been writing for 4 years now and I've always been pushed to join writing competitions. I never thought I was ready but I want to try at it now! The problem is I'm having a hard time finding competitions that aren't outdated or have an entrance fee. Does anyone know any Short Story or Fiction contests for the month of April or May that have no entrance fee and is open to all ages? Even sites that hold contests are welcomed to be shared. :) Thanks!

Can I use a pen name in a writing contest? I am entering a short story writing contest. I would like to use a pen name but I do not know if that is allowed. I am under 18 but there are now rules me being under 18. If I write a check that has my real name, what will happen when they see my pen name on the story? Is this allowed? All help and info appreciated!

Entering a story writing contest? I'm entering a story writing contest, so I was wondering what you would like to read in a short story [your favourite genres or ideas of what to write about], because I want my story to be appealing to the reader. I'm fourteen and I prefer to write fiction stories, but all ideas are welcome! Thank you.

Where can I submit my writing for short film and/or short story contests? I live in New York. I need some legit websites or addresses where I can submit my poetry/ film writing/ etc for either some kind of contest or chance at recognition. I know it sounds farfetched but any information would be very much appreciated.

(Short story written for contest) What do you think? Okay, so I wrote this story "The Silverwood Slasher" for an online contest with a prompt. It's a VERY short story, because it had to be 300 words or less. Tell what you think, any chance of winning? Here's the link: http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1583746 No, he didn't use the knife to scratch his balls. He had the knife hidden in his pants. Since I only had 300 words, I couldn't describe all that. I hoped that people would be able to guess it. Lol . . . that's hilarious

Does anyone knows any english short story contest? is there any contest about writing a short story in english ?,

Do you think this is a good prologue for a short story I'm doing for a middle school writing contest?(cont.) Humans are fragile creatures. In a world where everything is almost too easy, were each and every person possesses a mask in which they hide behind, the only time you can see others’ true selves are the times when you most despise the character of human nature. We are savage creatures with the cover of innocence. We are mountain lions that act as kittens. We are great white sharks with the cover of a sea horse. And so when the tsunami arrives, wrestling the masks off our souls and leaving everything in turmoil, all we’ll really have is the savage monsters we’ve kept hidden inside. And even when the tsunami is not a tsunami, but a sudden thunderstorm, the world consists of a single cruiser ship, and the people inside are not great white sharks, but humans, and a particular group of teenagers on a school trip, the outcome: It’s always the same. This is the prologue to a short story I'm going to be writing for a middle school writing contest, about a shipwreck. it's just a school writing contest, nothing too major, so it doesnt have to be perfect, but i just want to know if it's any good. (I'M IN EIGHTH GRADE)

Does anyone know any good writing contest I can enter with a short story/novella? I've had a heck of a time reseaching contests for me to enter, so here's a list of requirements the contest should have. - Little or no entry fee - Allow submissions up to 12,000 words or more - Be due within the next few months of 2008 - Have a decent cash prize If anyone can help me out, that would be great! Okay, it can have an entry fee of $15 or less. Any more is hard on my wallet.

Write a screenplay for a short story contest? Is it okay to write in screenplay format in a short story contest? It doesn't have any rules or regulations against it, but how good are my chances of winning? Would you still judge my story like every other contestant?

Where can a child publish his story? I want to enter an upcoming short story contest I am sure you all probably know about (Writers Digest). My 8 year old son found out I want to enter and wants to enter a story he has written but the rules state that you must be at least 16. I dont want to break his heart and tell him he cant enter and his story is actually well written. Where can children enter short story writing contests?

Is a romance story a good idea for a short story contest? I want to enter this short story contest and it said open genre and I really want to write a romance since that is mostly what I write anyway but I'm afraid the judges might be a little biased and look over it because they see it as just another love story. Should I write it or think of something else? Are judges for those contests really looking for something deep like dealing with death or some kind of tragedy or something?

Do you like my super short story I wrote for a contest? I wrote this story for a flash fiction contest online. . . Tell me what you think of it. http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1584358 This is a different story from the one I posted a couple of days ago.

I handed in this short story into a writing contest, what do you think? See if you can spot the symbolism :D Nobody cares about Mr. Platypus Waking up alone on his stingy nest, Mr. Platypus notices that his wife isn’t by his side. Mr. Platypus has been married for a couple of months, and ever since their marriage, the other animals began to make fun of his wife. Mr. Platypus has been living with this torment for all his life. However, recently, his wife was beginning to crack up. After laying her eggs, she became more and more to herself, and looked deeply saddened all the time. Mr. Platypus could see how she was giving up. Mr. Platypus waddled around for a while and decided to go to the nearby waterfall, where his wife usually thought about things. On the way, he discovered a note, and it said..... "Mr. Platypus, I'm sorry but, I just can’t take it anymore. I hope you'll understand. If you ever get lonely, just remember this place...where we first met. But most of all, look after the eggs." After finishing the note, Mr. Platypus soon discovered the splattered remains of his wife's body. She committed suicide by jumping off the waterfall and onto the rocks below. Upon her corpse was a badger in a vulgar position. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO MY TO WIFE?!?!!!?!!!" "None of your buisness," replied the badger slyly, continuing his vulgar movements. Mr. Platypus lunged at the badger unveiling the nail under his fin, and injected it into the badger. Within seconds, the badger was paralyzed and completely helpless. The poor badger could only quiver in fright as Mr. Platypus waddled away, crying. Mr. Platypus walked to the center of the jungle where most of the animals congregated to report what had happened. Every single animal in the world was there, and they all hated Mr. Platypus and everything associated with him. All day they talk about how they can ruin his life, and nothing more. The leader of all the animals was the strong powerful Ostrich. He galloped briskly wherever he went. And if anyone disagreed with him, or did something not to his liking, they were met with a swift kick to the face. His foot print could be easily embedded into any animals skull. All the other animals were wise not to mess with him, and usually talked to him about torturing Mr. Platypus. This pleased the ostrich, and when any animal talked about Mr. Platypus's death, he fluttered his great plumage with a feeling of goosebumps. He loved this feeling. "My wife KILLED HERSELF!" Mr. Platypus screamed. "Who cares!" all the animals responded, some even giggled. The ostrich walked over to Mr. Platypus and presented him a quick peck. At that moment, the badger appeared. He was limping horrifically, holding onto where Mr. Platypus pierced his skin. All the other animals were stunned by his appearance and waited for the badger to speak. "Mr. Platypus is a murderer! I saw him push his wife off the waterfall! I begged for him to stop, but he just pushed her to her grave! I went to see if I could've done anything for his wife, but this ruthless fiend shanked me repeatedly with a hidden poison tipped weapon! Then, when he was satisfied with the pain he inflicted upon me, he laughed devilishly and walked away!" A gasp rang out from the rest of the animals. The ostrich walked up to Mr. Platypus, lifted up his wings, and said..... "I believe I have an idea of what your sentence should be for this intolerable act!" "I didnt do that! The badger is lying!" His reasoning was futile "My prudent and unbiased judgment came to one and only one decision. You shall be hung! The animals let out a roar of cheer as they all chanted together, "Hang him, hang him!” Mr. Platypus could only watch as they set up a noose on a nearby tree and constructed a little platform out of bamboo sticks. Mr. Platypus walked onto the platform, and suited the noose around his neck. "Any last words?" asked the ostrich. "Don’t touch my eggs..." And with that the ostrich destroyed the bamboo platform. Mr. Platypus saw his life flash before him. When he was first hatched, when his parents disowned him, when he met his wife, when she laid their eggs, and now here he is, seconds away from death. The last thing Mr. Platypus ever saw was a raccoon having his favorite lunch…unhatched platypus eggs.

Reputable short(nursery) story contests??? I want to write and publish little children's books like-and as good as-those by Dr. Suess!! It should be about 10-20pages long, the story very unique and I'm a really good illustrator so I think it'd be really, really good!! But I don't know where to start-I'm a teen. So I want to enter a short story writing contest that could publish my work if it wins first place or something. I can't really think of any other ways. Do you know any good publishers that are now looking for short children's books and will possibly publish mine??? If you do, please inform!!!

What are some websites with short story contests? I love to write short stories. I was just wondering if there were any websites where I could anonymously enter one of my stories in a contest. Also, it needs to be free because I am a child and don't have a credit card. Also, is there anyone who is willing to give me some feedback on one of my short stories?

can someone review this short story for our school writing contest? im new to this...? I recall vaguely, that wondrous yet horribly terrifying feeling of flying. It was the last thing I saw before all that was visible, was total darkness “So this was what death felt like” I thought as the world around me crumbled, the darkness slowly consumed me. Suddenly, I look down, were those my fingers I saw sticking out from the rubble?, It was. I suddenly realized after all I was not dead. I had regained consciousness in the total silence and darkness in the fallen foundations of what was once the army headquarters, I realized I was pinned in the ruins of the collapsed building, there were massive piles of rubble all around me. I could not move and my vision and hearing had not fully come back. Strangely the feeling I had was not panic but serenity. Gradually my hearing began to return, although I wish by god it hadn’t My heard mind numbing cries for help, “Mother, help me!”, “Please, save me!” For 10 minutes I lie in the rubble struggling to breathe from all the dust in the air. Then suddenly, I felt hands touching me and loosening the timbers that pinned me. A man’s voice said in Japanese , “Don’t give up on me! Were going to help you!”. I regained feeling in my body I realized as I grabbed the mans out stretched hand. Now realizing how deep I was in it. As I crawled out of the rubble I saw some light again, although my vision blurred. The man that had saved me was a solider himself, his face badly burnt. He yelled orders at me to run up the hill beside the base for safety I turned around and saw the outside world. Although it was morning, it looked like the night, the dust and smoke had blinded the sun. I sat there, my knees up to my chest, in horror listening through deadly silence only broken only by the bone chilling groans of the dying. The dust faded away from the area, and I saw the sight of hundreds of men and women. Suddenly, there was a figure standing up in the distance. I rushed down to hill. I ran down the hill taking only brief glimpses of the dead or dying, At the foot of the hill was an army training ground about the size of two football fields. Literally every bit of it was covered with injured and dying who were desperately begging, often in fain whispers, “Water, water, please, water”. But we had no containers to carry water. We went to a nearby stream to wash the blood and dirt from our bodies. Then we tore off parts of our clothes, soaked them with water and hurried back to hold them to the mouths of the dying who desperately sucked the moisture. We kept busy at this task. Darkness had fallen, we sat on the hillside, numbed by the massive scale of death and suffering I had witnessed, watching the entire city burn. In the background were the low rhythmic whispers from the swollen lips of the ghostly figures, still begging for water. Soldiers who survived, threw their bodies in a ditch, poured on gasoline and threw a lighted match. They turned the bodies with bamboo poles, “The head is only half burned” they would mutter ominously. Standing there, witnessing the most grotesque violation of human dignity before me, I did not know where I should start to comprehend it all. I wanted to cry my heart out, but I knew even I could not shed enough tears for all innocent souls that had died that night. In silence I sat there, waiting for god to save us all. NOTE: this story is about a christian missionary in hiroshima during the bombings, the limit of words for the essay must be 500 so i dont know how i can add any character development in the story or whatever, plus the story is already like 600 words which is over the limit

What are some good secrets? [need ideass for a short story i'm writing]? I'm writing a short story and its about these people that get stuck in an elevator and they all go around and tell a secret about themselves. but i need some ideas on what the poeple should tell for secrets one is a 17 year old girl one is an older business man 2 are men in there twenties and another is an older women what secrets could they have? nothing too touchy cuz its a writing contest for kids ages 9-16.

Anybody ever entered a short-story contest? I really want to get into writing as a hobby. I do not have much experience, and probably don't read as much as I should but I know that I love to write. I'm thinking of entering a few short-story competitions because I feel that I need some inspiring motivation to get a few nice pieces finished that I can be proud of (I'm really bad at leaving stories incomplete.) I also think that by writing some short stories I can find out what sort of writing I'm best at and become better at plots and not waffling etc... I just wondered if anyone has experience of entering short story competitions and whether you have any tips regarding writing stories that stand out when there is a particular theme, or just what typically will impress judges. Thanks! Sarah P.S Sorry if this isn't in the right place-I couldn't find a better one!

Can somebody tell me where I can find a short story contest? Okay, so I want to become an author someday. But, it seems that whatever I write just sounds stupid in the end. I figured if I just did some short story contests, it'd give me some practice. Problem is, every short story contest I've found is over already! I don't want a prize or anything, I just want a simple short story contest, for maybe some magazine I never heard of or whatever. Can someone help me?

Have you written a short story? Entered a contest? I'm trying to find out the pros and cons of short story contests, so I can make mine better. http://www.vote4mystory.com/

I'm writing this short story for a contest. Tell me what you think? It's not allowed to exceed 1,000 words? "A Crack in the Ceiling" I can’t tell you how much I miss you. It would be wrong because I promised I wouldn’t. Not while you are away. You said you would miss me too, but I know you said that just to make me feel better. And it did, until I realized you where lying. Now, it makes me miss you more. I don’t want to miss you, I wish I didn’t, but I can’t stop. It’s like my missing you makes up for your not missing me. You told me to stop thinking absurd things. This would go into the absurd category if I told you. So I won’t tell you. I promise, and I keep promises; unlike you. I hate you. With all my heart I hate you. I hate the things you say, the things you do and the things you don’t do. I hate who you are. I can’t say it, but I feel it. The feeling is hidden inside of me, but sometimes you can see it in my eyes; a black mist creeping over them and veiling my face. I saw it once, when I was looking at myself in the mirror. I screamed. But I stayed where I was, because I’ve seen that look before. I saw it in mom’s eyes right before she left us, for good. I love you. I don’t know how, but I do. My friend (yes, I have a friend) told me it was impossible to feel two opposite things towards one thing. But he was wrong. Because I hate you and I love you all at the same time. Sometimes I think my hate overpowers my love, but it changes. Like right now, I love you more then I hate you. I just want you to come back, like you promised me you would. Your dog is barking downstairs. He’s hungry, but you didn’t leave me any money before you left so I can’t feed him or myself. It’s okay though, really. You should be back about eight days ago, like you promised. My birthday is tomorrow. Did you know that? Tomorrow I will be sixteen years old. One year younger than mom was when she had me, and one year closer to leaving you. That’s the day I’ve been waiting for since I was twelve years old, when I first found out I could leave. This time I will leave you, instead of the other way around. I’m sick of being left. You deserve to see what it feels like. You’ll hate it, I can tell. You don’t like being left, that’s why you leave so much. But have you ever thought about me? Have you ever thought about how it makes me feel? “365 days of torture.” That’s what you say when you’re actually home. But you aren’t even here 365 days in the year. You probably aren’t even here half the year. You’ve never hit me. But I remember falling; rolling, tumbling. And I remember when my body made contact with cold tile. I remember my head bouncing on the sleek black floor, a small pool of red forming beside me. The last thing I saw was you standing at the top of the stairs, before everything went black. I woke up a few days later, in a hospital bed with you nowhere in sight. But mom was there, holding my hand and sobbing. That was the day before she left me with you, for the last time. And now all I have to remember her by are a few black spots that stain my ribs like spilled ink. Right now I’m lying on my bed looking at the ceiling. There is a crack in it that runs almost all the way down the middle. That’s how I picture us, split in the middle but at the end we connect. The crack will spread, and this house will fall apart someday. Maybe on top of you, and then you would be dead. I’m trying to think if I would like that or not. I don’t think I would. Where are you anyway? You never tell me where you go. I asked you once, remember? You looked at me before turning around and marching out the door, slamming the screen hard behind you. I heard the engine in your car roar and slowly disappear. You came back two weeks later. That was when I was thirteen. The mail just got here. I can hear the mailman walking up our creaky porch. Now I can hear him opening the mailbox and slamming it shut. He’s walking away now. I can see him out of the window in my room. There is no mail for me. I’ve never gotten a letter in my life. I’ve always wanted one but no one ever sends me anything. Not even the grandparents I never knew. The obnoxious little boy on our street always gets mail from his grandparents. You can tell because big packages are always coming in. Why don’t I? Do I not deserve a little bit of love? I used to wish I could be a princess. Every little girl wishes that sometime, right? Well I wished it all the way until I was eleven years old. I didn’t care about the dresses or the jewels or the power. I wanted to be rescued by a prince. Although at that time I just wished I could be rescued by anybody. I just wanted to get away from everything. I wanted to be gone. I started thinking that when I was four years old. Sometimes I still wish it. Right now though, all I want is for you to come back home. But wishes don’t always come true, do they dad? You taught me that at a very early age, and no matter how many times I try to erase it, there will always be a mark left

Short Story Contest for Teens? I'm thirteen years old and just wrote a short story. I'm hoping to send it in to a contest, but can't find any! Does anyone know any that are going on right now?

Does anyone know of any FREE short story contests? I like to write, but i would also like to see how people respond to my writing. I am not yet confident enough in it to pay to join a contest, but I'd still like reviews. If you know of any free contests, do answer. - to see a sample of my writing see "How do you a write a short story?"

Short Story Contest Entry? I'm writing a lengthy short story called THE TREK OF LOCHINVAR, LOCHINDORN'S SON for a fantasy short story contest. It's about an elderly man who learns of his connection with a line of kings and treks to the throne to conqeur his foe. Filled with songs, riddles, and action Also, I'd like to add that my question is for ideas on plots

I need some help writing a short story? I’m entering the Seventeen short story contest but I really need some help. I actually don’t know how to write a short story. I’m more of a novel writer, although short stories are shortened versions of novels. But I don’t care, I need some help. I want my story to be on a love triangle, a foreign Spanish boy comes to a school and everyone loves him. But one girl actually falls in love with him. And it’s his best friend. How can I make this work? Can anyone help me?

Writing a short story? I'm contemplating writing a short story for a contest, but I'm having trouble actually thinking of something to write about! I do better when I have a theme to write to, but this contest is basically a free-for-all. Any ideas? What would you like to read about? What do you think would make a good short story? Preferably something that will get people thinking. I'm just drawing total blanks at the moment, and any help is greatly appreciated :)

What are some writing contests I can enter?? I am 13, and I love creative writing. I can't find many legit writing or short story contests Does any one know any legit writing contest that a 13 year old can enter???

When asked to write a short story contest in as few words as possible that contained these 3 elements:? Religion Sexuality and Mystery/Suspense I wrote : Good God! I'm pregnant! I wonder who did it? Will it get an A+? No, it wasn't funny junk, but somewhere like that . I just thought it was cute.

Does anyone know any specific contest, scholarships where I can win money for writing a short story?

what should i write about for a writing contest? well, i want to enter in a writing contest. it's like a short fiction story contest which has to be at least 500 words long. but i dont know what to write about. any suggesstions? and if you would give me some ideas on how to begin or how the story should be like that would be great! thaks alot!

Writing Contest for 10 points? I am holding a writing contest. You may write short stories or poems. I will pick a winner over the next few days. The one that I pick will get 10 points. Any kind of story or poem is acceptable. They can even be dirty stories if you like. Try HARD, you might win!

I wrote this very short story for a contest. What do you think? This online contest had a prompt, which I followed, and a 300-word limit. Here's the piece of flash fiction I wrote for it, entitled "The Silverwood Slasher" Tell me how you like it. . . http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1583746 Sorry that the link isn't clickable. Guess you gotta copy and paste it to your browser.

where can i find a short story fiction contest in massachusetts or anywhere in the new england area ? Ny isnt a problem I like to write stories and my teacher said that they have contests like you win money or you get a trip to go somewhere preferably japan (tht's where i wanna go) but yeah can you help me find some contests

Short Story for contest? I have to write a short story for a contest at our local college. I am 12 and home schooled but I am entering it because it is for preteens. I don't really have any ideas though! What should it be about? Thanks! And please, no disgusting or rude answers.

July/August 2010 Short-Story Contests? I'm looking for free current short-story writing contests. The genre I wish to submit is traditional gothic romance. Thanks for the help!

Does anyone know of any creative writing short story contests with no entry fees?

what are some short story contests that have cash prizes? im 11, turning 12, and i want to enter some short story contests that have cash prizes. Online contests are preferable, but the ones that require you to send the story by mail is okay too. Can you give me a link, or the name of the contest so I can enter? ummmmm, and it should be a youth/children writing contest, because im not even twelve yet :D Thanks (: i live in Los Angeles, so contests that take place in this area is good.