NO SUBMISSIONS BEING TAKEN NOW. STAY TUNED FOR NEXT CONTEST.

CONTEST IS CLOSED! CONTEST IS CLOSED! SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT BEING ACCEPTED NOW. CHECK BACK IN A FEW WEEKS TO LEARN ABOUT NEXT CONTEST.

There's an old saying: Laughter is the best medicine. When we laugh, we forget our troubles and our pains. Writing about growing up helps us recall events that challenged, scared, confused or even shocked us. Hmmm, that doesn’t sound like fun. Yet when writing about life-changing events, don't we sometimes find ourselves smiling, even laughing, and acknowledging some “good” that resulted?  If they lead to nothing else, these memories can lead to a story -- often a story others will enjoy hearing.  Merlyn's Pen and its online readers want to hear your story!

 

This contest seeks humorous stories -- nonfiction ("true" stories) up to 750 words -- about an event that taught you something important, that changed or shaped your understanding of yourself, your friends, your family, or the world.

WRITING CONTEST GUIDELINES [CLOSED!]

Personal narratives (nonfiction and creative nonfiction) up to 750 words are welcome. Up to two entries per person, submitted separately,  are welcome: each will receive its own confirmation and tracking code. Please do not send fiction, poetry, dramatic scripts, or song lyrics.

WHERE & WHEN TO ENTER [CLOSED!]

Entries must be submitted electronically before midnight (EST) December 31, 2010, at the Submit Your Writing page at www.merlynspen.org. Confirmation of your entry is immediate, and each writer receives a personal “tracking” code to follow his or her submission as it moves among editors. There is no entry fee.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Student writers in grades 6-12 or the home-school or international equivalent are welcome to enter. Entry is free.

CONTEST DIVISIONS

Winning entries will be picked from two divisions: High school (grades 9-12 or equivalent) and Middle School (grades 6-8 or equivalent).

PRIZES (also see below)

Merlyn’s Pen will award one First Place and several Honorable Mentions in each division. First Place winners in each division will receive a cash prize of $100 plus showcasing in the New Library of Young Adult Writing, at merlynspen.org. First Place authors retain the copyrights to their works and grant Merlyn’s Pen and its licensees the non-exclusive right to publish the winning work in print and other formats. Winning authors sign a “promise of originality” and a “permission and release” prior to publication.

GET INSPIRED!

See how other teens have written with humor about life-changing events. Link to the SPECIAL COLLECTION of HUMOR WRITING at the www.merlynspen.org home page.  Good Luck!

 

With questions, email Merlyn@merlynspen.org, subject line "Contest," or call Merlyn’s Pen at 1-800-247-2027.

One First Place and several Honorable Mentions will be awarded in each division, middle school and high school. First Place winners will receive a cash prize of $100 plus showcasing in the New Library of Young Adult Writing, at merlynspen.org.