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Enter a writing contest

Enter a writing contest
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Write and revise a short story or poem, follow contest rules, practice drafting and editing, then submit your entry to a writing contest.

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Step-by-step guide to enter a writing contest

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How to help your children become better writers?

What you need
Adult supervision required, contest rules copy, dictionary or thesaurus, eraser, paper, pen or pencil

Step 1

Choose a writing contest that sounds fun to you.

Step 2

Read the contest rules carefully.

Step 3

Decide if you will write a short story or a poem.

Step 4

Brainstorm three different ideas for your piece and write them down.

Step 5

Pick the idea you like best.

Step 6

Make a short outline or sketch of your story or poem.

Step 7

Write a first draft from start to finish without stopping to edit.

Step 8

Take a short break for at least 15 minutes to rest your brain.

Step 9

Read your draft and underline the parts you want to change.

Step 10

Revise the underlined parts to make the meaning clearer.

Step 11

Check the word count to make sure it fits the contest limit.

Step 12

Proofread your draft for spelling punctuation and grammar mistakes.

Step 13

Make final edits to improve wording and fix any remaining issues.

Step 14

Submit your entry to the contest with an adult's help following the contest rules.

Step 15

Share your finished creation on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a computer, printer, or internet access to finish and submit the contest entry?

If you lack a computer, printer, or internet for the 'Write a first draft' and 'Submit' steps, handwrite the draft on lined paper, ask an adult to type or photograph it for email or postal submission, and keep a photographed copy to upload later to DIY.org or as the contest requires.

I'm getting stuck during 'Write a first draft from start to finish without stopping to edit'—how can I get past writer's block?

When stuck during the first draft step, use your short outline to write a 10‑minute freewrite, or switch to bullet points for the next scene so you maintain momentum before taking the 15‑minute break.

How should we change the activity for younger children or older teens?

For younger kids, have an adult help with the 'Brainstorm' and 'Write a first draft' steps by recording their spoken ideas and letting them draw illustrations for the submission, while older teens should create a fuller outline, solicit peer feedback during 'Revise the underlined parts', and focus on tighter 'Proofread' and word‑count checks.

What are simple ways to improve or personalize our contest piece before we submit it?

To enhance and personalize your entry, add an original illustration or title page, write a short author bio to include with the submission, and read the revised draft aloud during the 'Proofread' step to tighten language and rhythm before uploading to DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to enter a writing contest

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How to Improve the Writing Speed of a Child

4 Videos

Facts about creative writing and editing for kids

✍️ Many writers create multiple drafts—professional authors often rewrite a story 3–7 times before calling it finished.

📚 Edgar Allan Poe is often credited with shaping the modern short story in the 19th century.

🕒 National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenges writers to draft 50,000 words in 30 days to jumpstart creativity.

🧠 Poems often use rhyme and meter to make lines easier to remember—ancient storytellers relied on this to pass down epics.

🏆 The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the largest youth writing contests, receiving over 100,000 entries each year.

How do I enter a writing contest with my child?

Start by finding a suitable contest and carefully reading the rules, deadlines, and eligibility. Brainstorm ideas with your child, then draft a short story or poem. Set aside time for at least one revision—check plot, pacing, sentence clarity, and word count. Have an adult proofread, format the document per submission guidelines, and gather any permission or entry forms. Submit online or by mail before the deadline and save a copy and confirmation receipt.

What materials do I need to enter a children's writing contest?

You’ll need a writing surface—a notebook or a computer with a word processor—plus basic editing tools like pens, highlighters, or spelling/grammar software. Keep the contest rules, entry form, and style guide handy. If submitting by mail, have an envelope, address label, and stamp ready. Parents should also have contact information, consent forms if required, and a way to save the final file (USB, cloud storage) for backup.

What ages is entering a writing contest suitable for?

Writing contests can suit children as young as kindergarten through high school, though contests usually list grade or age categories. Young children (5–8) benefit from guided prompts and adult help. Ages 9–12 can work on independent short stories or poems with coaching on revision. Teens (13–18) can tackle more complex themes and self-editing. Choose contests with appropriate age brackets and expectations to keep the experience positive and achievable.

What are the benefits of entering a writing contest for kids?

Contests motivate practice, improving vocabulary, storytelling, and editing skills. They teach following rules, meeting deadlines, and handling feedback or rejection—important resilience lessons. Kids gain confidence from completing and submitting work, and they may earn recognition, publication, or prizes. The process encourages goal-setting, attention to detail, and creativity, and can spark a lifelong interest in reading and writing when framed as a fun learning opportunity.
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