Calling all young writers! Pen your passion and win cash prizes!
The first-ever K12 Writing Competition is here! K12-powered students in all grades are invited to express themselves through writing and share their creative voices. Whether you’re crafting a powerful poem, a heartfelt narrative, or a thought-provoking essay, your voice matters. When you register, you’ll also unlock access to our exclusive Strider’s Writers space—an online hub in the K12 Zone to share your work and connect with fellow writers.
Writers will compete within their grade level across three writing categories. With a chance to win $250, you won’t want to miss out!
Claim Your Genre
Poetry: Let the Words Flow
Poetry is all about expression! Let your words wander like a breeze or stand rooted like an oak. Choose your style from free verse with no rules, to sonnets with rhythm and rhyme. Try a haiku to capture a moment in just 3 lines, or craft a ballad informed by history. Whatever form you choose, poetry gives your voice the freedom to shine and your emotions the space to soar.
Fiction: Create Worlds That Inspire
Fiction lets you dream big and create a canvas that’s all imagination. Leave readers to ponder with flash fiction, create a self-contained short story, or start the first chapter of a larger narrative. Whether you’re fascinated by sci-fi or have an awesome concept for a fantasy world, fiction is your chance to bring new characters to life.
Nonfiction: Share Your Story
Nonfiction is all about real stories, real voices, and your unique perspective. Reflect on a meaningful moment with a personal essay or dive deep into your history with a memoir. Got something to say about a topic you’re passionate about? Share it in an opinion piece that makes people think. You could also explore the world through travel writing or review the facts in an investigative article. Nonfiction gives you the power to write about your life, your views, and your discoveries.
Every word counts. Use them wisely!
Each entry must follow the word count range listed below for its category and grade level.
Poetry (All Grades):
10–200 words
Fiction & Nonfiction:
Grades K–2: 50–350 words
Grades 3–5: 100–500 words
Grades 6–8: 200–700 words
Grades 9–12: 300–900 words
Unlock Exclusive Access
If you’re excited to share your stories with other writers, we have just the spot! When you register for the K12 Writing Competition, you also receive exclusive access to the brand-new Strider’s Writers space in the K12 Zone. This online space is perfect for creatives who want to connect and develop their next idea together. Once you register, you’ll receive an email with everything you need to start sharing your unique voice!
Cash Prizes for All Grade Levels
Each grade level will have 1st and 2nd place winners in each writing category. That means one prize per grade level per category—for a total of 78 prizes!
Winners can choose a cash prize or an Amazon e-gift card.
1st Place winner per grade level
$250
2nd Place winner per grade level
$100
People’s Choice
Each grade level will also have a People’s Choice winner—for a total of 13 prizes!
People's Choice winner per grade level
$50
That’s not all—1st and 2nd place winners will have their work published in the K12 Writing Competition book—a keepsake to treasure and share!
How to Enter
All K12-powered students in grades K–12 are eligible.
(Parents or guardians must enter on behalf of students under 13.)
- Type or paste your entry into a text box on the registration form.
- Be sure to stay within the word count limit for your grade level.
- Share your unique voice in one of three categories: poetry, fiction, or nonfiction.
- Want to enter more than one category? Just complete a separate registration for each entry.
- Register and receive access to the Strider’s Writers Space—a dedicated space in the K12 Zone where you can share your work, get inspired, and connect with fellow writers.
- After you register, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access your new creative space.
- You are strictly forbidden from using Artificial Intelligence to write or generate any part of their entry. However, you may use AI tools for idea generation or brainstorming, as long as the final written work is entirely your own.
- If your entry is suspected of containing AI-generated or plagiarized writing, it may be subject to additional review.
- The deadline to enter is January 20, 2026.
A Handy Reference of Dos and Don’ts
DO:
Write an original piece with original characters.
Stay within the word count for your grade’s entry.
Lean into your creativity to write about something you love.
Get permission from people you want to include in your entry.
DON'T:
Write about your favorite celebrity or show character.
Submit a writing piece that’s already won an award or contest.
Post your entry online.
Use AI to write any part of your submission.
Judging Criteria
Finalists’ writing will be read by a panel of judges. Here’s what they’ll be looking for:
Poetry:
- Creativity and originality (25%)
- Impact and engagement (25%)
- Organization and clarity (25%)
- Language and mechanics (25%)
Fiction
- Creativity and originality (25%)
- Storytelling and emotional impact (25%)
- Organization and clarity (25%)
- Language and mechanics (25%)
Nonfiction:
- Creativity and originality (25%)
- Evidence and research (25%)
- Organization and clarity (25%)
- Language and mechanics (25%)
Competition Schedule
Submissions Accepted
October 13–January 20
Judging Period
January 21–March 4
Public Voting Period
January 21–February 20
Winners Announced
March 11
Please review the rules and regulations related to the K12 Writing Competition. When registering, you must agree to these terms and conditions.
