Young Authors Writing Competition Submission Guidelines

Number of submissions

You may enter up to two works (in separate files) in each category of Creative Nonfiction and Fiction. In the Poetry category, you also may enter up to two files, but each of them can have 1-5 poems. In total, you can submit up to six files (two in each category). You cannot upload three or more files in the same category.

 

Length

Each individual entry has a limit of ten pages. The number of words is not fixed, but each work cannot exceed 10 pages. If you’re submitting multiple entries, each entry must be ten pages or fewer.

 

Formatting

We only accept submissions through the form on our website. Please make sure your piece is in one of the following formats: .doc, .docx, or .pdf. Others, such as .rtf, .txt, and .pages will not load. We also cannot access files sent from shared cloud services, such as Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive.

Creative Nonfiction: Creative essays in all forms, styles, and subjects. All entries should be double-spaced and in a 12-point font. Preferred fonts are Courier New and Times New Roman.

Fiction: Original fiction in all forms (short stories, novel chapters), styles, and subjects. Creative essays in all forms, styles, and subjects. All entries should be double-spaced and in a 12-point font. Preferred fonts are Courier New and Times New Roman.

Poetry: Original poetry in all forms, styles, and subjects. Each individual entry may contain 1-5 poems, with a 10-page maximum for each entry. All entries should be double-spaced and in a 12-point font. Preferred fonts are Courier New and Times New Roman.

 

Titling

It is fine to include your name and title on the first page of your work, though if you don’t, we will still be able to identify it.

Title the document in the following format: Category, author last name, piece title

Example: Fiction_Smith_A Very Good Story

 

Publishing

We do not accept entries that have been previously published. Please submit something new. Simultaneous submissions are allowed for our contest, but we ask that you notify us immediately if the piece is accepted elsewhere. We do not accept pieces that have received national publication or won other contests, so if the piece is accepted elsewhere, you may need to withdraw it from our contest.

 

See FAQs for more information.

Email us: youngauthors@colum.edu