Edited by Randi Bjornstad

Annual Fiction Writing contest for kids now accepting entries

Wordcrafters is accepting entries for its 2024 annual Fiction Fantastic youth writing contest. This year’s theme is Realm of Forgotten Dreams. The contest is open to all Lane County students in grades kindergarten through 12, whether they attend public, private, or homeschool learning environments.

There is no submission fee to enter the contest. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. — in other words before midnight — on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. The winners will be announced in March 2024.

Here’s how it works:
  • Students submit their short stories on an assigned theme. (This year’s Realm of Forgotten Dreams was preceded in previous years by such topics as Into the Imagination, and Portals.)
  • A panel of judges, including teachers, authors, and other appreciators of literature, read the submissions without knowing the identification of the writers. (However, students in kindergarten through grade 2 may enter their stories for the special K-2 Spotlight without going through the regular judging process.)
  • The five highest-scoring stories in each category are then judged by a celebrity author who selects first, second, third, and honorable mention winners.Winners receive cash prizes, and their stories are published in a professionally edited anthology.

The anthology is decorated with cover art related to the contest theme, and copies are sent to libraries of the winning students’ skills. The anthology can be purchased through Wordcrafters and online.

More information: Online at fictionfantastic.org

About Wordcrafters in Eugene

Wordcrafters in Eugene is a nonprofit literary arts organization celebrating 10 years of helping writers find their voice and tell their story.

The mission is to provide writers with opportunities to strengthen their craft, deepen their connection with literature, and share their knowledge with each other and with future generations

Wordcrafters offers classes, workshops, and community gatherings for adults and youth, including creative writing summer camps, monthly workshops for youth, the annual Fiction Fantastic short story contest, and Writers in the Schools residencies for underserved schools in Lane County, as well as StoryHelix, a community storytelling project.

Information: online at wordcrafters.org or @Wordcrafters on Instagram or Facebook