Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

CREATIVE TEENS CAN EARN MONEY FOR COLLEGE: YOUNG WRITERS AND ARTISTS IN HIGH SCHOOL INVITED TO SUBMIT WORK TO THE SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS

Writing Categories:

Dramatic Script - An original radio, television, film, or one-act stage play script.

Length: 5-60 pages

General Writing Portfolio - (Open to students graduating in 2009) - A body of the best 3-8 works that demonstrates a high level in originality, technical skill and personal voice.

Must include a table of contents, writer's statement and a letter of recommendation.

Length: Up to 50 pages, not including table of contents or writer's statement

Humor - A satire, parody or humorous anecdote in any form/genre including dramatic scripts, poetry, short, or short short stories, personal essays, or journalism works where humor is the key element.

Length: 600-3,000 words

Nonfiction Portfolio - (Open to students graduating in 2009) - A body of the best of 3-8 works that demonstrate a high level of originality, technical skill and personal voice. Nonfiction portfolios consist of journalism, personal essay/memoir, humor and other nonfiction work.

Must include a table of contents, writer's statement and a letter of recommendation.

Length: Up to 50 pages, not including table of contents or writer's statement.

Science Fiction/ Fantasy - Stories or narratives that incorporate imaginary elements. Science Fiction explores the potential effects of real or imagined science and technology on science or individuals.

Fantasy creates its own universe using imaginary or supernatural elements.

Do not base characters on already published works from books, movies, comics, etc.

Any manuscript where science fiction/fantasy is the key element should be submitted in this category, including dramatic scripts, poetry, short stories or short short stories.

Length: 1,300-3,000 words

Short Short Story - A highly focused story concerning one central idea, conflict or situation.

Short short stories where humor or science fiction/fantasy are key elements should be submitted in those respective categories.

Length: 600-1,300 words

Short Story - A tightly crafted fictional narrative. Short stories where humor or science fiction/fantasy are key elements should be submitted in those respective categories.

Length: 1,300-3,000 words

Novel Writing- In collaboration with Scholastic Inc. PUSH imprint, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are pleased to present the Novel Writing category. Novels are longer narratives, limited to 50 pages or five chapters, whichever is shorter.

Adaptations of or sequels to already existing published works are not accepted.

The national-level Novel Gold recipient in this category will work with a professional editor to complete his/her manuscript, with the possibility of publication.

Manuscripts are not returned.

Length: Must include at least 3 and no more than 5 chapters of an original novel (Minimum 15 pages, maximum 50 pages). The submission must also include an outline for the entire book, not to exceed 2 pages which are not counted in the 50-page limit.

Personal Essay/ Memoir - Self-revelatory work dealing with individual experience and reflection. Non-fiction only.

Length: 750-3,000 words

Poetry - May include prose poetry, free verse, structured poetry (Sonnets, haikus, sestinas, tankas, cinquains, villanelles, etc.) song lyrics and spoken word. A submission may consist of one of several poems.

One collection of poetry allowed per student.

Length: 50-200 lines

Journalism - Articles for newspapers, newsletters, yearbooks, magazine. Web sites including feature stories, biographical works, opinion pieces, position papers, editorial reviews (movie, books, plays, etc.) and sports reviews.

SOURCES MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED. Footnotes/works cited are not considered part of the word count.

RESEARCH PAPERS & LITERARY ANALYSIS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

MANUSCRIPTS must follow guidelines and not contain images, graphs, or other visuals.

Do not submit articles in "newspaper format." Do not submit works that heavily quote already-published works.

Length: 500-3,000 words