For many teens, writing is more than just a school assignment—it’s a way to express themselves and share their unique perspectives. But figuring out how to take that passion to the next level can be tricky. There are so many opportunities out there, but finding ones that suit what you're looking for exactly is the hard part.
Whether you’re interested in entering a contest, getting published, or simply sharing your work with a wider audience, there are plenty of options waiting for you. From creative writing to non-fiction, this guide will help you discover exciting contests and platforms where you can showcase your talent, gain feedback, and even win some recognition along the way.
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If you’re looking for a space dedicated entirely to teen writers, Write the World is your home. Writers aged 13–19 can share short excerpts, poems, or essays and receive thoughtful feedback from a supportive community. One of the most rewarding aspects of this community is the connection with other young writers.
There's nothing quite like seeing a fellow writer leave a thoughtful comment or a like on your work, and you can return the favor by engaging with their writing, too. Trust me when I say a single like, comment, or peer review on your work can make your entire brighter.
If you're in a writing slump, WtW offers plenty of prompts, ranging from every genre and topic possible, to help you get out of it! Plus, every month, they announce a new competition with a unique theme. Whether it’s a poetry challenge or a short story contest, these competitions are a chance to sharpen your skills, earn recognition, and even win small prizes. The January 2024 competition is coming up, so if you're interested in poetry and nature this one is for you!
You have the chance to win upto 100$ dollars.
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Ocean Awareness Competition
The Ocean Awareness Contest gives teens aged 11-18 a creative platform to share their connection with nature while addressing important environmental issues like climate change. For 2025, the theme is Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside. This prompt invites you to explore how nature shapes your life, in any way you think.
You can express your thoughts in various forms, including visual art, creative writing, poetry, film, and more. So this isn't just for writers! This is perfect for all aspiring artits.
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There are cash prizes of up to $1,000 for several winners in different categories. The contest is divided into two age groups: Junior (ages 11-14) and Senior (ages 15-18), and you can participate individually or as part of a group. The deadline for submissions is June 9, 2025.
StoryTellers of Tomorrow Writing Contest
If you’re a high school student who loves storytelling, the Storytellers of Tomorrow contest by Ringling College of Art & Design is the perfect opportunity to showcase your talent. Running from October 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, this contest offers four exciting categories to choose from:
- Genre Stories: Dive into sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or mystery—whatever gets your creativity flowing.
- Literary Stories: Explore realistic fiction and character-driven narratives that tug at the heart.
- Nonfiction: Share your real-life experiences or insightful essays that spark conversation.
- Micro-RPGs: Craft a mini-roleplaying game (up to 600 words) and show off your unique world-building skills.
Prizes include $500 and a consultation with a literary agent or editor for first place, with second and third places earning $250 and $100 respectively, plus exclusive merch for all winners. The best part? You can submit one entry per category, so feel free to mix it up.
You can enter in all of them, some of them, or just one. A tip? In the FAQ's page they mention they want original stories that don't have cliche ideas, so keep that in mind while writing.
The winners will be announced in February 2025. You can find all the details and if you're eligible at Ringling College's Website.
Story Unlikely Short Story Contest
This contest welcomes all types of stories—whether you prefer writing fantasy, sci-fi, memoir, fiction, or nonfiction, the only requirement is that your story is well-written and engaging. The only limit is your imagination ( and the word-count). It must be under 4000 words, unless you're a paying member, then you have more leeway and can get to write upto 5000 words.
You just have to sign up on their website. Anyone around the world can enter, which includes you!
The benefits are endless! If you win, you'll be featured on it's website, so you'll be a published writer. You'll also get illustrations for your story!
It might also be considered for their print magazine. There's a total prize pool of $3,000: $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second, and $500 for third. You'll also get the chance to be an honorary mention, which is pretty exciting too if you think about it.
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The submission window runs from October 1st to January 31st, and stories will be published between June and December of the following year. Make sure you're signed up for the free Story Unlikely magazine to be eligible.
Global Soup - 7 Day Competion
Global Soup’s 7-day story writing challenges invite you to push your creativity by writing in a new genre and around a secret theme. Once you sign up, you'll be randomly assigned a genre, and you'll receive the theme for that round. Your task is to write a short story, up to 2,000 words, based on the theme and in the assigned genre—all within 7 days.
The challenge culminates in the selection of 12 finalists, one from each genre, with the overall winner receiving a £500 prize. Once you're registered, you're automatically entered into future challenges, so you can jump in when you’re inspired or skip a round if the theme or genre doesn't resonate with you.
For those looking to connect, Global Soup has a Love Writing Facebook Group where you can meet other participants, swap ideas, and give and receive feedback after the challenge ends. It’s a fun way to engage with fellow writers and improve your skills while competing for the prize!
Teen Magazine (Yes, this one!)
Do you know the name of the webiste that you're reading this article on? It starts with Teen and ends with Magazine. Yes, we're hiring all year round for aspiring teen authors like yourself!
It's always on the look-out for fresh voices. You can write articles ranging on any topic, from lifestyle to pop culture to current political issues. It doesn't pay, but you get the chance to be published? I mean, who doesn't want to see themselves as a published author! I almost screamed out loud when I saw mine.
Plus, having articles published on a site like this is pretty solid for your resume—colleges and future employers will see that you’ve got the drive and skills to write and meet deadlines. It’s definitely a great way to start building your writing portfolio.
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These are just some of the many writing platforms and competitions out there waiting for teen writers like you to share your voice. But don’t worry if you miss the deadline for a contest you were hoping to enter—there are always more opportunities popping up, and you can always try again the following year. So, keep your eyes peeled for fresh challenges and be on the lookout for new ways to showcase your writing.
Whether you’re looking to improve your skills or land that first publication, there’s no shortage of chances to get involved! Keep writing, and who knows? Your next big opportunity could be just around the corner.
