Longwood Young writers competition

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This year's theme invites writers to explore all the various ways we can interpret the idea of home. Home might mean the place we live, a point of origin, a source of comfort, a person or relationship, and more!  This theme can be interpreted in any way by the writers. Feel free to play!

 

Students in the 9th-12th grades living in Virginia are invited to enter by submitting to one of the following categories:

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• Poetry: A group of three poems (one poem per page, not more than 5 pages)

• Fiction: A short story (1,500 words or fewer)

• Nonfiction: A personal or academic essay (1,500 words or fewer)

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 And announcing our NEW Modern Language categories!
•    Modern Language Essay: An original short essay in French, Spanish, or German (1500 words or fewer)

A winner and two finalists will be selected in each category. There is no entry fee.

 

All entries must be original work reviewed, approved and sponsored by a high school teacher. We will use your sponsoring teacher as a contact for the competition should we have any questions. For homeschooled students, please contact a mentor to sponsor your writing. The teacher/mentor must complete and attach the required cover sheet.

 

When to Submit: Submissions will be accepted from February 1 to March 1, 2025.

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How to Submit: Email submissions and required cover sheet as Word attachments to luyoungwriters@gmail.com

 

Please complete the subject line on the email as follows: Genre, Student Name, High School, Grade

 

Awards & Recognition

Winners will be notified by April 1, 2025. Winners in each category will be awarded $100.

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The winner and two finalists in each category will be honored at an award reception and their selected submissions will be published in a Longwood University-associated publication (to be announced). 

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Contact: For additional information or questions, email Mary Carroll-Hackett, Contest Coordinator, carrollhackettma@longwood.edu

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Click here to download the submission cover sheet.

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Click here to download the call for submissions.

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