Young Authors’ Contest

Guidelines for 2023-2024

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Sponsored by Howard County Literacy Association�

Who can enter

the contest?

• Maryland students in grades 1 through 12.
• Authors of short stories or poems.
• Students who want to showcase their writing!

How does the

contest work?

• Write an original short story or poem.
• Type it in Times Roman 12 point font. Be sure to save it as a WORD file.
• Fill out the cover sheet form.
• Turn it in by December 11 or your school’s deadline.

Guidelines for

Grades 1 - 5

• An original short story with 100-400 words (Grades 1-2) or 300-800 words (Grades 3-5).
• A single poem, which may be any style or length, with 25-150 words.
• Students may enter a previously unsubmitted short story and/or poem written within the previous or current school year.

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Guidelines for

Grades 6 - 8

• An original short story with 600 - 1,600 words.
• A single poem, which may be any style or length, with 25 - 200 words.
• Students may enter a previously unsubmitted short story and/or poem written within the previous or current school year.

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Guidelines for

Grades 9 - 12

• An original short story with 800 - 2,000 words
• A single poem, which may be any style or length, with 25 - 300 words.
• Students may enter a previously unsubmitted short story and/or poem written within the previous or current school year.

HS

Who can help me?

• You must be the author!
• You can’t re-submit a story from last year.
• Adults may help you edit.
• The ideas must be your own, so students must do their own revising.
• You can’t submit an entry with a friend.

Other Rules?

• No graphics on your submission.
• Poems or short stories of a violent nature will be deemed inappropriate and will NOT be judged!
• Do NOT type your name on your entry.
• Your name and other information MUST ONLY go on the cover sheet.

Sample Cover Sheet

Fill out all boxes.

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Don’t miss these:

• Student name
• Grade level AND Teacher’s Name
• Title AND Type of Entry
• Parent/Guardian must sign

Sample Entry

Entries MUST:

• only include the title and the story/poem
• have a word count that fits within the range.

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Entries CANNOT include:

• author’s name
• graphics
• violent nature

Digital Rules

• Save your entry as a WORD document.
• Winners will be asked to submit the WORD document of the story or poem.
• Please save your cover sheet as a PDF.

How will I know

if I win?

• Teachers will judge each grade’s entries and the school winners will be announced.
• One poem and one short story will be selected from each grade to compete at the Howard County level competition in January 2024.
• In Mid-February, Howard County contest winners will be announced on the Howard County Literacy Association website.

Howard County Literacy Association website

Special Events

for County Winners

In the Spring, there are two events:

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• Reading Day: Winners will be invited to read their pieces at Barnes and Noble.

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• Awards Celebration: Winners, their parents, their teachers and administrators will be invited to attend this memorable event.

How can I win?

Write a story that reflects your creativity and uses appropriate language and story structure.

OR

Write a poem that is compact, creative, and has appropriate use of language and imagery.

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You can submit both – a story AND a poem!

What will I win?

• School winners will receive a certificate and have your name announced for submitting an entry.
• County winners will receive a pin and a medal or trophy.

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You win the respect and admiration of your teachers and peers for showcasing your talents!

What are you

waiting for?

• Show your parents the Grade-Level Guidelines.
• Write and type up your original poem and/or short story.
• Have a peer and/or an adult edit your entry.
• Fill out the cover sheet with the title matching your entry exactly.
• TURN IT IN BY December 11th

Best of Luck to all!

Happy writing!

May your creativity unlock your unique voice for the world to hear!

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From your friends at the

Howard County Literacy Association