The site for writers of all genre, and the readers who love them. Find what you want to know.
Teen Writers
Teen writers have tons of opportunities, from getting published in youth literary magazines like Teen Ink, Write the World, and Adroit Journal, to entering prestigious contests like the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and YoungArts, to building an audience on platforms like Wattpad, plus freelance work, starting blogs, and finding mentorships. Focus on online platforms for easy access, prestigious awards for recognition, and local writing groups for community.
Online Platforms & Magazines
- Teen Ink: A long-running publication for teens (fiction, poetry, reviews).
- Write the World: Global community with monthly contests, feedback, and publication in their Review.
- Wattpad: For serializing stories and building a readership.
- The Adroit Journal: Publishes high school writers through contests.
- Blue Marble Review: Accepts work from young writers (ages 13-22).
- Polyphony Lit: Student-run magazine offering feedback on submissions.
- Stone Soup: Features stories, poems, and art from younger teens.
Contests & Awards
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: Highly prestigious national competition.
- YoungArts: For grades 10-12 (or ages 15-18) in various disciplines, including writing.
- Ocean Awareness Contest: Focuses on environmental themes.
- Write the World Competitions: Monthly contests in different genres with cash prizes.
Other Avenues
- Start a Blog/Website: Share your work and build an audience.
- Freelance Writing: Look for gigs on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.
- Volunteering: Tutor younger students in writing.
- Mentorships: Programs like the Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program offer guidance.
Tips for Getting Started
- Read submission guidelines carefully for age limits and rules.
- Start early for feedback on contests.
- Explore local resources, like your school’s literary magazine or local library programs.
Tools for Teen Writers
- All-in-one writing apps like Scrivener
- For novel planning, to collaborative platforms like Story Wars
- Grammar checkers like Hemingway Editor
- Idea generators like EssayTopicGenerator
- Publishing sites such as Teen Ink
- Plus traditional notebooks and inspiring resources like NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program, helping with structure, creativity, editing, and sharing work.
Changes of Life
by Elisa Berman – age 15
The car collected $200 as it passed go. I could hear the car’s engine zooming around the board. Well, I almost heard it. I was playing monopoly with my brother. I just starred at him thinking how great life is, how great spring break was going to be, and how great summer would be. I was absolutely loving life for the first time in a long time.
Appreciated Words
Christina Marples – age 15
Famous authors may pretend to know how lucky they are, but do they really? Do they understand the desperate desires of others, like myself, who just want other people to read the words that were strung together so delicately by themselves? They can’t understand. Not anymore. Their ability to do that ended a long time ago. It ended that moment when a person walked into a bookshop and bought their book. That person was willing to read that author’s delicately strung together words and yet it is possible that the person who first bought the book did not appreciate just where that story came from. But one day someone did.
Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
Mary Ellen Allen
So often we or our students think of writing as composing poetry and fiction stories. Usually we don’t consider non-fiction pieces, interviews, reports, essays, letters, and other similar forms. When youngsters say, “I can’t think of a story,” suggest other types of writing which might dispel their “writer’s block.”
Keeping an Idea Book
Mary Emma Allen
Youngsters often are intimidated by the idea of writing, whether it’s a story, poem, book report, non-fiction article. However, there are a number of ways to take away some of the dread of writing.
Beyond the Basics
Linda S. Dupie
The tools of a writer go beyond pen and paper or your word processor. Writers also use non-tangible tools like observation and ideas. You need to be aware of your surroundings, recognize and capitalize on ideas, and have the ability to conduct research.
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