Storyworks Contests

Due to mailing issues, anyone who mailed in a contest entry must resubmit their entry to the below address to enter the contest or by emailing [email protected]. Emailed entries do not need to be resubmitted.

(Name of contest)
c/o Scholastic
Storyworks 4th Fl.
130 Mercer St.
New York, NY 10012

We at Storyworks are always looking for new writers. And we think one of those new writers might be YOU. Have a teacher, parent, or legal guardian submit your writing to our Kid Fiction Writing Contest and you could win a prize and have your fiction story published at Storyworks Digital.

Step 1: Choose one of the first lines below to start your story:

1. The Great Snack Disaster of 2023 all started with one pretzel.

2. They say that rats are highly intelligent animals.

3. Time traveling might sound like a strange job for a kid, but hey, it’s the family business.

Step 2: Write a short story starting with your chosen line.

For help and inspiration, check out the videos and Storyworks fiction stories below. You can also click here to learn about last year's winners and read the winning story, “Fluffy the Dog” by Ben Hruby. And ask your teacher for our Fiction Writing Tool Kit!

Step 3: Edit and revise.

Make sure your story is between 800 and 3,000 words.

Entries will be judged on:

Creativity
A clear beginning, middle, and end
Details that show how the main character changes through the story
Correct use of dialogue, description, and figurative language
Don’t forget to type or write neatly and proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation!

Step 4: Have a teacher, parent, or legal guardian submit your entry!

Entries must be written by a student in grades 2-8 and must be submitted by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian of the student. Entries submitted by someone under 18 will be deleted and disqualified.

Teacher, parent, or legal guardian:

Fill out this entry form.

Send the story and completed entry form to us by March 1, 2024.*

Email entries to:

[email protected]

Or mail entries to:

“Fiction Writing Contest”
c/o Scholastic
Storyworks 4th Fl.
130 Mercer St.
New York, NY 10012

See Official Rules

Grand Prize:

One grand prize winner will have their story published at Storyworks Digital and will receive a $50 gift card for the online Scholastic Store.

The winner's teacher will win a free two-year class subscription to Storyworks.

Finalists:

Two finalists will win a $20 gift card for the online Scholastic Store.

Runners-Up:

Ten runners-up will win a Storyworks prize.

Watch these videos to learn how to write the perfect fiction story.

How to Write a Story

Tips on writing fiction by author Jason Reynolds.

What Is a Plot?

Learn all about the building blocks of plot.

What Is a Character?

Learn all about what makes a great character.

Share our interactive Fiction Writing Tool Kit to guide your students through planning each element of their short fiction story from beginning to end (also available as a printable PDF).

Fiction Writing Tool Kit

Share this interactive slide deck with students to help them brainstorm and plan their fiction story.

Printable Tool Kit

Print out this PDF for students to help them brainstorm and plan their fiction story.

Read Last Year's Winning Story!

Looking for story inspiration? Don't miss reading the story that won last year's Grand Prize, "Fluffy the Dog" by Ben Hruby. And be sure to check out our interview with Ben about his writing process. You can find it all here!