Scholastic Information:

http://www.artandwriting.org/the-awards/how-to-enter/

Writing Categories

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL WRITING CATEGORIES
• Font: 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial
• Titles: Titles at the top of the first page only. Do not use a separate title page. Poems should be titled individually.
• No Name: The student’s name should NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript.
• No Images: No illustrations, photographs or graphics.
• Sources: Sources must be cited. Footnotes/works cited are not considered part of the word count.
• Collaboration: Collaborative works are not allowed in any writing categories.

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Dramatic Script

Category Description
Writing that uses dialogue, action and stage direction to tell a story, including scripts for television, film, or stage.

Special Instructions
Excerpts can be submitted, but should be clearly labeled as excerpts.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Limits
Dramatic Script entries may be up to 25 pages long.

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Flash Fiction

Category Description
A highly-focused story characterized by its brevity. A short form of storytelling.

Special Instructions
Please note word length for Flash Fiction compared to Short Story. Stories in which humor or science fiction/fantasy are key elements should be submitted in those respective categories.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Limits
Maximum 1,000 words

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Humor

Category Description
Writing that uses satire, parody or humorous anecdote.

Special Instructions
All work in which humor is the key element should be submitted in this category, even if it would be appropriate for another category.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Additional Instructions
500 – 3,000 words

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Journalism

Category Description
Writing that informs and educates about newsworthy topics or current events.

Examples (including but not limited to)
Writing intended for publication in newspapers, magazines or online media and characterized by a presentation of facts or description of events.

Special Instructions
This category includes nonfiction work only. Fictional essays should be submitted in the Short Story or Flash Fiction categories. Sources must be cited. Works cited are not considered part of the word count.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Limits
500–3,000 words.

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Novel Writing

Special Instructions
Include an outline (up to two pages) for the entire novel. The outline is meant to provide readers with a full understanding of the scope of your novel. It does not count toward the maximum page limit.

The outline should be a general outline of the entire plot of the novel, or a chapter by chapter breakdown: The outline should be 500 words or less.

Deadline Novel Writing submissions are judged in New York. The same deadline applies for Novel Writing as for all other Writing categories.

Please note the following.

1. Submissions must be uploaded online AND printed and mailed to the address below, along with the submission form.
2. Printed work must be double-spaced in 12-point font with one-inch margins (does not apply for work entered in the text editor online).
3. The title of the work should appear at the top of the first page only. Do not use a separate title page.
4. The student’s name and school must NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript itself.
5. Adaptations of or sequels to existing published series are not accepted.
6. Due to the large volume of submissions, we’re unable to give feedback on manuscripts.

One submission will be selected to work with a Scholastic editor, with the hope of moving toward possible publication.

Email info@artandwriting.org if you have questions.

Novel winners will be notified in mid-April 2014.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Additional Instructions
Submission forms for Novel Writing should be mailed directly to: Alliance for Young Artists & Writers Attn: Novel Writing Submission 557 Broadway New York, NY 10012

Limits
Submit an excerpt of up to 50 pages of your manuscript (not including outline).

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Personal Essay / Memoir

Category Description
A self-revelatory work dealing with individual experience.

Special Instructions
This category includes nonfiction work only. Fictional essays should be submitted in the Short Story or Flash Fiction categories.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Limits
500–3,000 words.

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Persuasive Writing

Category Description
Writing that makes an argument to support a particular point of view or position. The writer presents a clear stand or opinion, and then provides facts and data to support it. Examples of persuasive writing include: editorials, position papers, essays prepared for debate or speech.

Special Instructions
Sources must be cited. Footnotes/works cited are not considered part of the word count.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Limits
500–3,000 words.

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Poetry

Category Description
Writing in verse. May include but is not limited to prose poetry, free verse, formal poetry, song lyrics, and spoken word.

Special Instructions
Each submission may consist of 1–5 poems, which will be judged as a collection. Students may submit more than one collection, but must register each separately.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Limits
20–200 lines (total for the entire collection).

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Science Fiction / Fantasy

Category Description
Writing that uses supernatural, magical, futuristic, scientific and technological themes as a key element of the narrative.

Special Instructions
All work in which science fiction/fantasy is the key element should be submitted in this category, even if it would be applicable in another category. Do not base characters or plots on already published works (books, movies, comics, etc.).

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Limits
500–3,000 words.

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Short Story

Category Description
A fictional narrative written in prose.

Special Instructions
All stories that are 1,000 words or less should be submitted to the Flash Fiction category. Short Stories in which humor or science fiction/fantasy are key elements should be submitted in those respective categories.

Click here to see examples of previous winning works in this category.

Size Requirements

Limits
1,000–3,000 words.

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Writing Portfolio

(For Graduating Seniors Only)

Category Description
Writing Portfolios must include 4-8 different works from varying categories (outlined above) or from the same category.

Novels may not be submitted as part of a Writing Portfolio.

Special Instructions
The word count for each piece submitted in a writing portfolio should adhere to the length limits listed in each individual category. The maximum length for a writing portfolio is 24,000 words (not including the table of contents or writer’s statement).

• The Writing Portfolio must include a writer’s statement. The statement should be 300-750 words and answer the following questions:
Why did you select the work you submitted for your Writing Portfolio?
How do you hope people will react when they read your work?
What role does writing play in your life?
• Students may submit individual pieces in their portfolios to be considered for individual awards. However, for a piece to be considered for an individual award, it must be separately registered in that category.

Graduating Seniors may submit TWO Writing Portfolios. Students may not submit the same work in both portfolios.

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