2009 Contest Winners

2008 Contest Winners, Grades 9 - 12

2008 Contest Winners, Grades 6 - 8

Eligibility and Rules

Prepare all the young folks you know for some creative fun and excitement!
The student writer’s contest for 2009 (grades 6 through 12) has been totally renewed!
New timeline! New rules!  And, most of all, new prizes!

And must be received by the January 23^rd , 2009   DEADLINE! 

Submissions are encouraged in three categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction

This is a GREAT opportunity for adults and teachers to encourage young writers!
Contestants entries will be judged with respect to genre quality (i.e., descriptive, expository, narrative, persuasive, technical), grammar usage, and writing excellence.

For “jump start” guidance and tutoring to create a WINNING entry . . . . . contestants should review www.thewritingsite.org and www.excellenceinwriting.com

New Prizes!!!   Best of show overall - writing submission among all categories  $100
                         Best writing submission in remaining two categories  $75
                         Second place in each category $50
                         Third place in each category $30
                         Honorable mention (ribbons) will be given for specific technique or skill

Also:  Each participant will receive a certificate of participation with constructive feedback about their writing from the judges, and suggested readings or tools to advance their writing skills for a 2010 contest entry.

Winners and those who receive honorable mention will have their entries posted on the WIWA site, at Sno-Isle Libraries, island bookstores during the month of February, at the WIWA conference in February, and in as many island newspapers as possible in order to celebrate their achievement! 

Just for parents and teachers!  Adult mentors will receive a sticker for their vehicle announcing that they are “A proud mentor to a Whidbey Island Writer Student Winner!

The complete rules follow on this page and will also be made available or distributed at all island middle, high, and private schools.

General Eligibility and Rules

            The deadline for the student contest is January 23^rd, Friday at 5:00PM.
            All students in grades 6-12 residing on Whidbey Island are eligible.
            All work must be original and not submitted in prior years.
            Students may not submit more than one piece to each category, one per category would be three total submissions allowed.
            All submissions must be typed, in 12 point Times New Roman or similar font, with a footer which includes pagination of all sheets, with no more than 6 total pages for short story, essay, technical, or non fictional work.
            Poetry may be either rhymed or unrhymed, traditional or non traditional form, and no more than one page.
            All submissions should be double spaced.
            All submissions must be on standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper and be titled, dated, with author/writer’s name, grade, school, contact information, and pagination of all sheets. (i.e., page 1 of 6, 2 of 6, etc.)

            New this year! Submissions may include graphic art work or other visual accent to create visual appeal.

            Awards:  To be eligible for cash awards, all work must be suitable for publication as determined by the judges, in accordance with the specifications listed above.

Photos by Bob Richardson