INKLINGS BOOK CONTEST
Share Your Big Ideas with the World!
Whether you write stories or poems or both, whether your words are funny, heartfelt, imaginative, or true-to-life, there’s a place for you in the Inklings Book Contest. Every 3rd-12th grade writer who enters will receive feedback. That means this contest is a win-win, for every applicant!
The results are In!
ABOUT THE BOOK CONTEST
Each year from January to March, we accept short story and poetry submissions from youth writers to be considered for our annual Inklings Book anthologies.
Winners are paired with a professional writer/mentor who works with them to revise their stories and poems for publishing; and ALL applicants receive personalized feedback on their submissions!
One of our biggest goals with the Inklings Book Contest is to provide youth writers with the opportunity to learn the craft of revision through a real-world publishing opportunity. For the 2025 contest year, our funding allows us to accept up to 300 submissions. Please read our FAQ below for more details.Â
CHECK OUT OUR FREE
Inklings Book Contest Prep Course!
Want to try out Inklings activities and strategies to prep your contest submission in style? Join our FREE online prep course, which will help you draft, revise, and put the final touches on your story or poem.
CONTEST FAQ
What is the Inklings Book?
The Inklings Book is an anthology that features short stories and poems by up to twenty young writers and is professionally published by Society of Young Inklings in August of each year. Beginning with the 2024 contest year, we will be publishing two editions of the anthology, one featuring 3rd-8th graders and one featuring 9th-12th graders.
Who is the contest for?
The Inklings Book Contest is for youth writers in grades 3-12 who are ready to be treated like a pro and increase their writing skills. For the 2025 contest year, our funding allows us to accept up to 300 submissions.
Winners in grades 3-8 will work one-on-one with a professional mentor to prepare and revise their manuscript for publication in the anthology. Winners in grades 9-12 will work together on a final revision through a peer editorial process, guided by a mentor. Finalists will receive a revision letter and will have the opportunity to be published on our website. Each applicant will receive personal feedback on their submission!
HOW DO I SUBMIT?
Submit your manuscript with our easy online application. All applicants will receive professional and personalized feedback. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to hear from a pro! Please read through all submission requirements on the application page before submitting.
Educators, if you would like to submit a classroom set of contest submissions, click here to read more.
Entries may be submitted in English or Spanish. Stories submitted in Spanish will be translated by a member of our team, or you may provide your own English translation.
Historias y poemas pueden ser entregadas en español y serán traducidas por un miembro de nuestro equipo. También puede proveer su propia traducción en inglés.
How are the winners chosen?
We look for stories with a strong point of view, intriguing characters, descriptive settings, and well-developed plots. In poetry, we look for lyrical language, rhythm, and that touch of flair or surprise that makes a poem stand out. Most importantly, we review applications closely to ensure that the chosen winners are committed to the revision process. Up to ten winners will be chosen from grades 3-5, up to ten from grades 6-8, and up to ten from grades 9-12.
What will I win?
Winners in grades 3-8 will receive a two-session editorial mentorship with a professional mentor/writer, throughout which they will revise and polish their poem or story. Winners in grades 9-12 will work together on a final revision through a peer editorial process, guided by a mentor
The revised stories and poems are then published in the Inklings Book and Inklings Book Teen Edition anthologies, which are distributed through various retail channels. Winners also receive their own copy of the Inklings Book as well as one for their school. Finalists will receive a revision letter with feedback about their work and the opportunity to be published on our website.
PREVIOUS INKLINGS BOOKS
One of the best ways to prepare for the Inklings Book Contes (beside writing, of course!) is to check out one of our previous anthologies. They not only include spectacular literary works, but you’ll also find interviews with each author and letters from their mentors, full of revision tips and tricks. Browse some of our recent editions below.
