purdue creative writing contest

Rural Teen Writing Contest 2024: Representing diverse genres, identities thru rural stories

“They give me a lot of hope for the presence of rural connections and identities in publishing.” – Dr. Chea Parton

Another year goes down in history for the Literacy In Place Rural Teen Writing Contest as Chea Parton continues to give voices to diverse rural perspectives with this year’s theme of Eat, Dance, and Be Rural .

Parton is a visiting assistant professor of Curriculum and Instruction in the Purdue University College of Education Transition to Teaching program. Parton comes from a rural background herself, hailing from Gaston, Indiana. She studied as a rural undergraduate and graduate student at Purdue, as well as teaching there after graduation. Parton then continued as a rural doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin.

Parton created the inaugural Literary in Place Rural Teen Writing Contest in February 2023. The contest invites students to submit fiction or nonfictional pieces that illustrate rural life. “We had much more poetry and personal essay than we did in the inaugural year,” Parton said when asked about how the contest has evolved from last year. “We’re also seeing more creative genres such as sci-fi and fantasy featuring rural places and communities, so that’s wonderful.” 

This year’s first-prize winner was Deborah George, a high school junior and author from the Midwest and the director of programs for young writers’ organization SeaGlass Literary. For her story “ The Sweetest Memories, ” George won an author visit from award-winning rural author and physical therapist Monica Roe ( Wilderness Ridge series, Rural Voices ), a class copy of Roe’s book Air, publication on the Literacy in Place website, and an episode featuring George’s story on Parton’s Reading Rural YAL podcast.

“I’m thrilled to have won the Rural Teen Writing Award,” George said. “My story was inspired by my grandma and great-grandparents, and I’m happy to have honored them in a unique way.”

High school junior Laurel Aronian was the runner-up for her poem “ So Long, Schoolhouse .” Aronian has received many awards for her writing, including 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and YoungArts Merit Award for singing and songwriting. Aronian won a signed copy of a book of her choice written by any of the contest judges, publication of her poem on the Literacy in Place website, and a feature on Parton’s Reading Rural YAL podcast . 

An honorable mention went to Riya Chandra for her personal essay “Brownish,” which was published on the Literacy in Place website. Chandra is a junior at Trinity Preparatory School and writes nonfiction. “I am beyond ecstatic to be able to share my writing with the world!” Chandra said in response to her honorable mention.

Next year’s contest theme will be Calling (Us) Home: Rural Homeplaces, Languages, & Identities . “The theme is decided by the guest judges each year, and this year’s judges really knocked it out of the park,” said Parton. The submission portal will open on the Literary In Place website from July 1 to December 1, 2024, with winners announced in February 2025.

Source: Chea Parton, [email protected]

Writer: Rebekah DeMoss, [email protected]

College of Liberal Arts

Student Events

Cornerstone screening of Pride + Prejudice + Zombies (2016)

When: October 31 (Halloween!)

Where: SC 239, 7:00 – 9:30 pm

Who: students in SCLA 101 & 102

Based on the 2009 novel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies , this film seeks to parody Jane Austen’s novel by adding the undead. It combines horror, action, romance, and comedy.

Cornerstone screening of Pride and Prejudice (2005)

September 27, 2022- Loeb Theatre, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

For all Students in SCLA 101 or 102 and Cornerstone faculty

In 2005 Working Title film produced the first feature film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813) since the American 1940 version, starring Greer Garson and Sir Laurence Olivier.  With Kiera Knightly as Elizabeth Bennett (already made famous by Pirates of the Caribbean ), this film combines elements of Romanticism and realism and adapts Austen’s novel about love, marriage, misconceptions, and self-awareness for a modern audience. For more information see flier here . 

Fall 2022 Cornerstone Student Contest

This fall Cornerstone is seeking writings , artworks, videos, and poetry inspired by our discussions and readings in Transformative Texts, SCLA 101 and 102.

Our theme is Adaptations . Maybe your favorite book has been made into a feature film.  Or your favorite film is also a famous book. Perhaps a video game you play is based on a book or a film.  Or a song you sing was inspired by a poem.  There are many kinds of adaptations and we can create our own as well. 

In your own creative way, please share with us your favorite adaptation, depicting or describing what you liked about it or even where it fell short. You can also create your own adaptation, imagining how a book you love could be adapted to a film or game. For contest details see flier here .

Winners of the Spring 2022 Cornerstone Contest  

Spring 2022 Cornerstone Contest

This spring the Cornerstone contest is seeking writings and artworks as well as other forms of creativity including videos and poetry inspired by our readings in Transformative Texts (SCLA 101 or 102).

Our theme is Reading Voyages. Transformative texts can propel us through time and space while always returning us home and to ourselves once again, often with a new sense of self.  We learn about other people and other times; we learn that they have loved and laughed, suffered and cried as we do; we learn of our common humanity, but mostly we learn about ourselves. What reading voyages have you taken?

This contest asks students to reflect back on all the books they have loved since childhood to the books they have read in SCLA 101 and 102, and speak to how one (or more) inspires them.  For contest details  see the flier here.

Winners of the Fall 2021 Cornerstone Contest  

Fall 2021 Cornerstone Contest

This fall the Cornerstone contest is seeking writings and artworks as well as other forms of creativity including videos and poetry inspired by our readings in Transformative Texts (SCLA 101 or 102).

Our theme is chance encounter . Reading is a form of encountering; to read is to fill our minds with voices that are not our own and to fill our hearts with emotions that we might never experience otherwise. Your SCLA classes encourage you to read outside of your comfort zones, to explore a new topic, listen to a new voice, and appreciate a new perspective. We are forever changed by the story and by the author.

Encountering a good book is only one example of such a transformative encounter. In your own creative way, please share with us your experience with one chance encounter—with a person, a place, a text, a hobby, a form of art, an alternative perspective, etc.—that enchanted and changed you. You can also portray an imaginary chance encounter that challenges and transforms your fictional characters. For contest details see the flier here.

Winners of the Spring 2021 Cornerstone Contest  

Spring 2021 cornerstone contest .

This Spring Semester, Purdue’s Cornerstone program is celebrating “the book” with a contest for our students.

Books take us on journeys; they open our eyes to new vistas and ideas; they can change our lives, become our companions, even our mentors and spiritual guides. Books challenge us, inform us, infuriate us, and transform us.  We can write in them, display them, use them for doorstops; and hide love letters and press fall leaves in them. They can hold our secrets.  What do books mean to you?  

 Our Spring 2021 contest seeks artwork as well as other forms of creativity including videos and poetry based on our readings in Transformative Texts (SCLA 101 or 102).  Winning artwork entries will be considered for exhibition in the new Cornerstone Reading Room in HSSE Library (grand opening Fall 2021) and all entries will be considered for publication in the  Cornerstone Review .  For contest details see  the flier here

Fall 2020 Cornerstone Contest

The COVID pandemic continues to reshape our world. How has the pandemic transformed your vision of yourself and your future? And, how have your readings in Transformative Texts this Fall Semester helped you think about your new life in this new world? Is there a poem, a character in a novel, or simply a few lines in one of your readings that resonates with you now more than ever?

 Student can choose to write a short reflective essay or short story  or give a speech or create one long poem, a series of short poems or series of artwork inspired by your experiences in our transformed world and by your readings in SCLA 101/102. Please write/speak/create from the heart. This is about your vision. For contest details see the flier here .

Department of English

12 Credits Required

Requirements for the minor, a. introductory course (3 credits).

• ENGL 20500 - Introduction To Creative Writing (grade of B- or better)

B. Writing Courses (9 credits)

• ENGL 31600 - Craft Of Fiction From A Writer’s Perspective
• ENGL 31700 - Craft Of Poetry From a Writer’s Perspective
• ENGL 40700 - Introduction To Poetry Writing
• ENGL 40900 - Introduction To Fiction Writing
• ENGL 50700 - Poetry Writing
• ENGL 50900 - Fiction Writing
• ENGL 58900 - Directed Writing

50% of credits for CLA minors must come from Purdue University.

All Creative Writing courses except 20500 and 31600 may be repeated once for credit.

The courses must be taken in order, the 40000 level taken before the 50000 level in any given genre.

The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

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Purdue University

Indiana, united states.

Starting in 2021-22, the MFA Program is not accepting new cohorts of graduate students. Its undergraduate program remains robust with ~200 majors and minors.

We provide this history of the Purdue MFA Program, which is seeking to counter its current dismantling. Established in 1987, the English Department's graduate program in creative writing gives poets and fiction writers the opportunity to develop their work in a supportive atmosphere which values originality and a vital literary tradition. The three-year program is small and flexible, allowing writers to design study plans according to their specific needs. With full funding for all 24 of our students and one of the best student to faculty ratios (3.5 to 1) in the country, the program ensures personal attention and a friendly writing community. Workshops and classes are completed in the first two years; the third year is dedicated to work on the thesis -- a novel or a book-length collection of poetry or fiction -- through individual tutorials with a writer chosen from our award-winning MFA. faculty.

Teaching assistantships can include composition and creative writing courses, administrative positions within the program such as Assistant Director and Visiting Writers Series Coordinator and compensated editorial positions with Sycamore Review, a nationally recognized literary journal. Accomplishments of program graduates include the Best New American Voices anthology, Best New Poets, The Nation/"Discovery" Prize, winners and finalists in the Playboy College Fiction Contest and the Atlantic Monthly College Writing Contest, numerous AWP "Intro" awards, the Loft/McKnight Prize in poetry, the Witter-Byner Fellowship, O. Henry and Pushcart Prizes, a range of state and national arts fellowships, and multiple book publications.

Contact Information

Purdue University 500 Oval Drive West Lafayette Indiana, United States 47907 Email: [email protected] https://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/english/undergraduate/majors/creativewriting.html

Bachelor of Arts in English/Literature +

Undergraduate program director, minor / concentration in creative writing +.

In addition, the Department of English offers a BA in Professional Writing, which is a 33 s/hr program. 12 s/hrs in literature and linguistics, 18 s/hrs in writing courses, 3-6 s/hrs in an internship in professional writing. Both degrees require immediate proficiency in a foreign language.

Donald Platt

Swansdown (Grid Books, 2022), One Illuminated Letter of Being (Red Mountain Press, 2020), Man Praying (Parlor Press / Free Verse Editions, 2017), Tornadoesque (CavanKerry Press, 2016), Dirt Angels (New Issues Press, 2009), My Father Says Grace (Arkansas University Press, 2007), Cloud Atlas (Purdue University Press, 2002), and Fresh Peaches, Fireworks, & Guns (Purdue University Press, 1994)

http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/directory/Faculty/Platt%2C_Don.html

Brian Leung

World Famous Love Acts (2004), Lost Men (2008), Take Me Home (2011), Ivy vs. Dogg (2018) All I Should Not Tell (2022)

http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/directory/Faculty/Henley%2C_Patricia.html

Sharon Solwitz

Once, In Lourdes (2017), Bloody Mary (2018), Blood and Milk (1997)

http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/directory/Faculty/Solwitz%2C_Sharon.html

Discount: a novel (2015)

Publications & Presses +

Sycamore Review

Visiting Writers Program +

For an updated list, see

https://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/english/gradstudies/creativewriting/series.html

Reading Series +

Purdue University Visiting Writers Series ( http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/creativewriting/readingseries.html )

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Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.

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The Christy Award

Genres: Christian, Fantasy, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult

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📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024

Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award

Poets & Writers, Inc.

Genres: Fiction and Poetry

Poetry manuscripts should not exceed 10 pages, single or double-spaced (minimum of seven pages). Fiction manuscripts should not exceed 25 pages and must be double-spaced. Fiction manuscripts may include stories and/or excerpts from novels.

The TRP Southern Breakthrough Series

Texas Review Press

The TRP Southern Poetry Breakthrough Series highlights a first full-length collection by emerging authors from each state in the southern U.S. This year's state is South Carolina. Open to any poet born in South Carolina, currently residing in South Carolina, or who has lived in South Carolina for five consecutive years at any point, who has not yet published a full-length collection of poetry. The author may have published chapbooks or books in other genres. Submissions accepted through Submittable only.

Discover the finest writing contests of 2024 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters as you browse.

Why you should submit to writing contests

Submitting to poetry competitions and free writing contests in 2024 is absolutely worth your while as an aspiring author: just as your qualifications matter when you apply for a new job, a writing portfolio that boasts published works and award-winning pieces is a great way to give your writing career a boost. And not to mention the bonus of cash prizes!

That being said, we understand that taking part in writing contests can be tough for emerging writers. First, there’s the same affliction all writers face: lack of time or inspiration. Entering writing contests is a time commitment, and many people decide to forego this endeavor in order to work on their larger projects instead — like a full-length book. Second, for many writers, the chance of rejection is enough to steer them clear of writing contests. 

But we’re here to tell you that two of the great benefits of entering writing contests happen to be the same as those two reasons to avoid them.

When it comes to the time commitment: yes, you will need to expend time and effort in order to submit a quality piece of writing to competitions. That being said, having a hard deadline to meet is a great motivator for developing a solid writing routine.

Think of entering contests as a training session to become a writer who will need to meet deadlines in order to have a successful career. If there’s a contest you have your eye on, and the deadline is in one month, sit down and realistically plan how many words you’ll need to write per day in order to meet that due date — and don’t forget to also factor in the time you’ll need to edit your story!

For tips on setting up a realistic writing plan, check out this free, ten-day course: How to Build a Rock-Solid Writing Routine.

In regards to the fear of rejection, the truth is that any writer aspiring to become a published author needs to develop relatively thick skin. If one of your goals is to have a book traditionally published, you will absolutely need to learn how to deal with rejection, as traditional book deals are notoriously hard to score. If you’re an indie author, you will need to adopt the hardy determination required to slowly build up a readership.

The good news is that there’s a fairly simple trick for learning to deal with rejection: use it as a chance to explore how you might be able to improve your writing.

In an ideal world, each rejection from a publisher or contest would come with a detailed letter, offering construction feedback and pointing out specific tips for improvement. And while this is sometimes the case, it’s the exception and not the rule.

Still, you can use the writing contests you don’t win as a chance to provide yourself with this feedback. Take a look at the winning and shortlisted stories and highlight their strong suits: do they have fully realized characters, a knack for showing instead of telling, a well-developed but subtly conveyed theme, a particularly satisfying denouement?

The idea isn’t to replicate what makes those stories tick in your own writing. But most examples of excellent writing share a number of basic craft principles. Try and see if there are ways for you to translate those stories’ strong points into your own unique writing.

Finally, there are the more obvious benefits of entering writing contests: prize and publication. Not to mention the potential to build up your readership, connect with editors, and gain exposure.

Resources to help you win writing competitions in 2024

Every writing contest has its own set of submission rules. Whether those rules are dense or sparing, ensure that you follow them to a T. Disregarding the guidelines will not sway the judges’ opinion in your favor — and might disqualify you from the contest altogether. 

Aside from ensuring you follow the rules, here are a few resources that will help you perfect your submissions.

Free online courses

On Writing:

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction

How to Write a Novel

Understanding Point of View

Developing Characters That Your Readers Will Love

Writing Dialogue That Develops Plot and Character

Stop Procrastinating! Build a Solid Writing Routine

On Editing:

Story Editing for Authors

How to Self-Edit Like a Pro

Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites

How to Write a Short Story in 7 Steps

How to Write a Novel in 15 Steps

Literary Devices and Terms — 35+ Definitions With Examples

10 Essential Fiction Writing Tips to Improve Your Craft

How to Write Dialogue: 8 Simple Rules and Exercises

8 Character Development Exercises to Help You Nail Your Character

Bonus resources

200+ Short Story Ideas

600+ Writing Prompts to Inspire You

100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Fiction Authors

Story Title Generator

Pen Name Generator

Character Name Generator

After you submit to a writing competition in 2024

It’s exciting to send a piece of writing off to a contest. However, once the initial excitement wears off, you may be left waiting for a while. Some writing contests will contact all entrants after the judging period — whether or not they’ve won. Other writing competitions will only contact the winners. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind after you submit:

Many writing competitions don’t have time to respond to each entrant with feedback on their story. However, it never hurts to ask! Feel free to politely reach out requesting feedback — but wait until after the selection period is over.

If you’ve submitted the same work to more than one writing competition or literary magazine, remember to withdraw your submission if it ends up winning elsewhere.

After you send a submission, don’t follow it up with a rewritten or revised version. Instead, ensure that your first version is thoroughly proofread and edited. If not, wait until the next edition of the contest or submit the revised version to other writing contests.

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