Write-On Competition for Grades 4–12
Looking for a way to showcase your writing skills? Want to win cash prizes? Then, submit your entry to Write-On! It's the 20th anniversary. There are three levels of competition: Grades 4–6, 7–8, and 9–12. Every level has two categories for submission: "Short Stories" and "Poetry."
As part of Write-On, we host an author event where we announce the competition winners. Write-On is generously sponsored by the Gift of Carl Foundation.
You’re Invited
An Evening with Michael Leali
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7–8 p.m.
A night for kids in grades 4–12 and adults. Even if you didn’t enter the contest, you’re invited to attend. We’d love to have you! Michael Leali is an author and educator born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area. His debut novel, The Civil War of Amos Abernathy, won the Golden Kite Award for Middle Grade Fiction from SCBWI and was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award and the Jane Addams Award. When Michael isn’t writing, he enjoys reading, playing board games, and a nice long walk.
Submission Guidelines
There are three levels of competition: Grades 4–6, 7–8, and 9–12. Cash prizes for first, second, and third, respectively.
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions for the 2025 competition are now open, and close on Thursday, Oct. 30.
- Original short stories must be 2,000-6,000 words. Poetry may be of any length. All words must be your own.
- Entrants may enter up to three submissions in each category.
- Entries must be typed, double-spaced, and in a 12-point font.
- Spelling, grammar, and punctuation count.
- Students who enter the contest must attend a school or live in the Indian Prairie Public Library District.
- Submit online entries as a Word (.docx) file.
- Enter now.
About the Gift of Carl
Write-On is generously sponsored by the Gift of Carl Foundation, which is named in memory of Carl Vuillaume. Carl was a lover of reading, writing, music, and the outdoors, living by the motto “carpe diem.” Tragically, Carl drowned while vacationing with his family in 2005 at the age of 16. His family received donations and wanted to do something positive with the money—the Gift of Carl Foundation was born. His family approached the library about doing something that would have a lasting impact and honor Carl’s love for the arts and outdoors.
