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Top Teen Writing Contests for 2025

You’ve got a story in your head, maybe even scribbled in a journal or saved on your Notes app. What if it could earn you a scholarship, get published, or land on a judge’s desk? For teen writers in 2025, the opportunity isn’t just knocking—it’s entering through multiple doors. Writing contests are no longer niche extracurriculars—they’re launchpads.

Whether you're in middle school experimenting with poetry or a senior perfecting college essays, these contests can spotlight your voice and sharpen your craft.


Why Writing Contests Still Matter

Authentic storytelling is an evergreen skill—and a powerful differentiator. In an age of AI-generated content and rapid digital churn, real student writing carries an edge. According to the 2024 National Writing Project Report, 79% of teens who entered a writing competition said it helped them grow as a communicator and thinker.

These contests don’t just reward talent. They nurture it.

Pro-Tip: Treat each contest deadline like a professional pitch. Build a calendar, revise thoroughly, and don’t wait till the night before.


The Top Contests You Shouldn’t Miss

1. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

  • Grades: 7–12

  • Deadline: Dec 2024–Jan 2025 (varies by region)

  • Prize: National medals, scholarships up to $12,500, publication opportunities

  • Application: artandwriting.org

Case Study: In 2023, 11th-grader Tyler Mei won for a speculative fiction story and later interned with a publishing house. This award opened more than one door.

2. New York Times Learning Network Contests

They host various genres—from personal narratives to podcasts. Their platform reaches millions, making it one of the most visible teen contests.

Pro-Tip: Read the most recent winning entries—they're a goldmine of format, tone, and clarity examples.

3. John Locke Essay Competition

This contest is a gateway to elite-level academic writing. Topics span philosophy, politics, economics, and psychology.

Mini-Example: Noor Asif, a 2024 finalist, used her entry to strengthen her Princeton application essay.

4. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

  • Grades: 6–12

  • Deadline: June 2025

  • Prize: Up to $1,500 + international features

  • Application: bowseat.org

Telling ocean and climate stories through prose and poetry? This is the contest for eco-conscious creators.

Quote: “We want stories that don't just inform—but transform.” – Linda Cabot, Bow Seat Founder

5. Letters About Literature (LOC)

  • Grades: 4–12

  • Deadline: March 2025

  • Prize: State/national awards, publication

  • Application: Varies by state (e.g. ilsos.gov)

Students write letters to authors explaining how a book changed them. A deeply reflective entry can go far here.

Pro-Tip: Be personal, not performative. Judges can spot canned writing a mile away.

6. EngineerGirl Writing Contest

  • Grades: 3–12

  • Deadline: Feb 2025

  • Prize: $500–$1,000 cash + publishing

  • Application: engineergirl.org

Blending STEM with storytelling, this contest challenges you to think creatively about engineering.

Mini-Example: Sasha Kim (Grade 8) wrote about women coders in India—her essay was later published in her school’s tech newsletter.

7. Youth Honor Awards

  • Grades: 6–12

  • Deadline: March & October 2025

  • Prize: $500 + inclusion in national anthology

  • Application: poeticpower.com

While smaller in scale, this platform helps young poets and essayists gain publishing credits.

8. Young Writers USA Challenges

  • Grades: K–12

  • Deadline: Seasonal (rolling)

  • Prize: Anthology inclusion, certificates, cash prizes up to $100

  • Application: youngwritersusa.com

Great for beginners, these contests welcome mini sagas, diary entries, and genre fiction.

9. Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards

Designed to uplift diverse voices. Categories include poetry, memoir, and spoken word.

10. National PTA Reflections Program

  • Grades: K–12

  • Deadline: Fall 2024 (varies by PTA chapter)

  • Prize: Local to national awards, exposure

  • Application: pta.org

Themes rotate annually (e.g., “I Belong”), sparking narrative creativity across all age groups.


What Makes a Winning Entry in 2025?

Authentic Voice Over Perfection

Forget big words and stiff structure. Write something only you could write.

Bold Ideas Over Safe Bets

Play with form, fuse genres, tackle taboo topics—judges remember originality.

Intentional Structure

From timeline jumps to dual POV poems, how you present your story matters as much as the content.

Pro-Tip: Break the mold—but know the rules first. Study rubrics and sample winners.


Building a Teen Writing Portfolio

Don’t stop at one contest. Collect, refine, and reuse:

  • Archive polished entries in a Google Drive folder

  • Publish on Substack, Wattpad, or Medium

  • Add achievements to your resume and Common App

  • Pitch local newspapers or school blogs

Longtail Keyword Tip: “How to build a teen writing portfolio” is trending and ideal for college prep blogs.


Key Takeaways

  • Choose contests that match your style, theme, or grade level

  • Stay authentic—your voice is your competitive edge

  • Use every entry to build your writing portfolio

  • Study past winners and contest rubrics before submitting

  • Writing contests help with scholarships, visibility, and confidence


FAQs

1. What is the best writing contest for teens?

It depends on your goal. Scholastic is great for national visibility, Bow Seat for advocacy, and John Locke for academic weight.

2. Are these writing contests free to enter?

Yes, most are free. Some offer fee waivers or charge minimal administrative fees.

3. Can homeschool students participate?

Absolutely. All contests listed are open to public, private, and homeschooled students.

4. Will entering help my college application?

Definitely. Winning or even being shortlisted shows initiative, creativity, and strong communication skills.

5. How many contests can I enter?

As many as you like, as long as deadlines don’t overlap. Just ensure you tailor each piece.

6. What if I don’t win?

Revise your piece and submit elsewhere. Many authors faced rejections before publication.

7. Where can I get feedback before submitting?

Join a writing club, take an online critique workshop, or ask a trusted teacher.


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