2024 Youth Writing Contest—Rhythms

“Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.” ~ Maya Angelou

2024 Registration is open until July 15, 12 p.m.

Idahope Christian Writers announces a Youth Summer Writing Contest, “Rhythms.” Write a flash fiction story that creatively illustrates the idea of rhythm. Thrilling, heartwarming, life-changing, the miracles in the mundane, the mysterious—craft a tale that moves our judges!

Theme: Rhythms

Word Count: Between 500 and 1000 words.

Who is Eligible to Enter? Those who have completed 7th grade through 12th grade in 2024. Stories must be original and unpublished.

Genres: Any, such as historical, fantasy, romantic, mythical, contemporary, faith, science fiction, suspense, and adventure.

Story Rating: Please keep the stories wholesome. Language should be clean and relationships should be limited to hugs. In other words, PG12.

Dates:

  • First Round Deadline: July 15, 2024
  • Finalists Announced: August 15, 2024
  • Winner Announced: August 31, 2024 

Prizes: 

  • $75 Cash Prize to First Place Winner
  • All entries receive professional feedback from experienced/published writers.
  • Semifinalists published in Idahope Christian Writers Fiction Friday. 
  • Winner published by Boise Classical Press.
  • Winner will also be invited to read the story at ICW’s Fall Gathering. 

Cost: $20

How to Enter: Register for the event below. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. Reply to the email and attach your .docx file. Multiple registrations are allowed for a single applicant. Register, pay for, and submit each entry separately. Please contact us if you have additional questions.


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Fine print: 

Employees, officers, and directors of Idahope Christian Writers and their immediate families are not eligible to participate. 

  • Each entry must be an original, unpublished work of flash fiction in English.
  • The length of the story must not exceed 1000 words.
  • Entries must be submitted in .doc or .pdf and must include the title.
  • Each participant may submit up to three entries. Each story will be its own submission with the full entry fee.
  • Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity, grammar and organization skills, readability, and adherence to the contest theme.
  • The judging panel will consist of Idahope members and writers from the surrounding community. Finalist judges will be published, award winning writers.
  • The decision of the judges is final and binding.
  • By entering the contest, the participant grants Idahope Christian Writers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish, distribute, and promote their submitted work in any media, including but not limited to Idahope’s website, social media, and promotional materials.
  • The author retains copyright of their work.
  • Personal information collected from participants will be used solely for the purpose of the contest and will not be shared with third parties without the participant’s consent.
  • Idahope Christian Writers reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the contest if it cannot be conducted as planned due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.