Story Lab
Creative Writing Contest
All
Story Lab is the brand-new summer story writing contest from Young Writers for 7-18 year-olds.
Budding authors have:
✏️ 500 words
📖 Any theme
📚 Any genre
Who or what will inspire them? Which time period will they choose? Will they write a fantasy, sci-fi, historical, thriller, romance or ghost story? Perhaps they'll be inspired by their summer vacation!
If young writers need some more ideas, download the free story examples and ‘How to Write a Story’ guide.
How To Enter
Email your child's entry along with their name and full address to: [email protected]
OR
Upload their entry at www.youngwritersusa.com/new-uploader
OR
Mail your child's entry along with their name and full address to:
Young Writers Story Lab
77 Walnut Street,
Unit 11,
Peabody, MA 01960
Closing Date: September 11, 2026
Rules
To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:
- Only one entry per child.
- Open to both schools & independent entrants.
- Open for 7-18 year-olds
- Poems can be typed in Word, etc or written on sheet of paper.
- Your child's name, age & full home address must be included with their story.
- The story must be your child's own original work.
- Stories can be written on any theme as long as it is age-appropriate.
- Word limit - 500 words.
- Free to enter.
- US entrants only.
- Copyright remains with the author.
If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.
Prizes
Our favorite 5 writers each win $100 and a trophy.
Every entrant receives a bookmark and writers whose stories we'd love to publish will also receive a certificate of merit.
Winners will be chosen from published entries received May-September 2026. Independent entrants are eligible for student prizes.