Writing Contests
Contests are a great way to sharpen your submission skills, stretch your imagination, and get your work out in the world. That’s why the Institute runs adult and kidlit writing contests throughout the year. Each children’s book writing contest culminates in a Winners Workshop where we announce the winners and critique the winning entries to help all entrants improve their skills. Plus, each contest has cash prizes for the top five entries.
Check out our children’s book writing contests below.
ICL Rhyming Animal Poetry
Kids love rhyme and kids love animals, so let’s combine the two into a winning poem for kids ages 6-9! This contest is your chance to show us your rhyming poetry skills! The subject of your poem should be an animal (or animals) and should be suitable for publication in children’s magazines, such as Spider or Highlights.
Details:
- Should appeal to 6-9 year olds.
- Must not be longer than 110 words.
- Must rhyme and showcase an animal (or animals).
- Click here for more details.
ICL YA Fantasy First Pages
Fantasy novels are always popular with the young adult crowd. Introduce us to a teen and their not-so-ordinary world in our YA Fantasy First Pages Contest.
Details:
- Details will be announced in last Spring 2024.
- Click here to be notified when this contest opens.
IFW Contemporary Romance First Pages
Do you love romance? This contest is your chance to share the first pages of your contemporary romance manuscript for a chance at a cash prize and a critique from an IFW Instructor and Romance author!
Details:
- Winners will be announced at our Winners Workshop in Spring 2024.
- Entrants will get into the workshop for free. An email invitation will be sent one week prior to the workshop.
- Non-entrants can attend for $7. Click here to be notified of future workshops and contests.
Winners Workshop
NOTIFY MEFollowing each writing contest, we hold a live workshop to announce the winners. The contest judge will reveal tips for writing in the contest genre and critique the winning entries sharing why they worked—and how they could be even better.
Sign up now to be notified of our next workshop!
Looking to improve your contest entry?
1000 N. West Street #1200, Wilmington, DE 19801
© 2024 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
1000 N. West Street #1200, Wilmington, DE 19801
© 2024 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
1000 N. West Street #1200, Wilmington, DE 19801
© 2024 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.