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[article_seo_url] => wanted26
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[Title] => SOS Sagas: Wanted
[Description] => Everyone Wants Something...
[Subheading] => Revenge. Freedom. Fame. The Truth. Something they've lost. Something they should never have...
[Age] => Ideal for 10-18 years
[Intro] =>
Wanted
challenges young writers aged 10-18 to turn what somebody wants into an original mini saga in
just 100 words.
They can write in any genre, create any character, and take their story anywhere their imagination leads them.
What will your students want... and how far will they go to get it?
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
New Closing Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
100 words could get them published.
This isn't just a creative writing activity. Wanted is a real creative writing contest, giving young writers the chance to see their work published in a book and recognized for their creativity.
There are prizes to win too: the top 5 writers will each receive a $50 Amazon gift card, and every young writer whose work we'd like to publish will receive a Certificate of Merit.
A big opportunity. Just 100 words.
What could they write?
There's no single way to interpret Wanted. Give students a story starter, or let them take the theme somewhere completely unexpected.
I wanted to be heard...
Who has been ignoring them, and what happens when they finally speak up?
I was wanted for a crime I didn’t commit...
Who framed them, and can they prove the truth?
I wanted to know what was behind the door...
What do they discover when curiosity gets the better of them?
I wanted revenge...
What happened, and how far are they prepared to go?
I wanted to make the world a better place...
What do they decide to change, and what stands in their way?
They wanted it back...
What was taken, who has it now, and why does it matter?
Funny, frightening, mysterious, moving, or completely unexpected, the story is theirs.
Easy to offer. Easy to get started.
Use Wanted in whatever way works for you and your students.
Run it as a class activity, share it with interested writers, use it for enrichment, or offer it alongside the creative writing you're already doing.
We’ve created everything you need to make getting started simple, including:
✓
A video introduction
✓
Story starter cards
✓
A graphic organizer
✓ Clear contest guidance
You can use as much or as little support as you need.
1
CHOOSE
Choose what someone wants
2
IMAGINE
Build the story
3
WRITE
Tell it in 100 words
Free resources to make it easy...
Whether you're sharing Wanted with your whole class or simply giving interested students the opportunity to enter, pick the support that works for you.
GET THEM INTERESTED
Video introduction • Contest poster
GET THE IDEAS FLOWING
Story starter cards • Graphic organizer • Writing prompts
GET THEM WRITING
Activity resources • Examples • 100-word student entry form
GET THEM ENTERED
Student entry forms • Printable and online entry options
Big writing skills. Just 100 words.
Writing a mini saga challenges students to make every word count.
As they shape their Wanted story, they can experiment with character, setting, voice, and narrative techniques while learning to select, edit, and refine their ideas.
The 100-word limit keeps the task manageable while giving students a genuine creative challenge: how much of a story can they tell in just 100 words?
Prizes and recognition
Give your students the thrill of becoming published writers in a real book, being recognized for their creativity, and the chance to win prizes.
FOR STUDENTS
🏆 5 writers will each win a $50 Amazon gift card
📖 Get published
Every student has the opportunity to see their work published in a Young Writers anthology.
⭐ Be recognized
Every writer whose work we'd love to publish will receive a Certificate of Merit.
FOR SCHOOLS
🏆 Young Writers' Award of Excellence
The school that submits the best set of entries will receive the Young Writers Award of Excellence.
📖 A free copy for your school
Every participating school will receive a free copy of the book that features their students’ work.*
*The more entries you send, the more free books your school can receive. See the Prizes tab for more details.
PLUS:
Every entrant receives a limited edition Wanted bookmark.
Ready to enter?
Entering your students' Wanted mini sagas is easy.
COLLECT THEIR STORIES
Each mini saga should be no more than 100 words.
CHOOSE HOW TO ENTER
Submit your entries online, by email, or mail them to us.
SEND THEM BY NOVEMBER 13, 2026
Then leave the judging to us!
Ready to see where Wanted takes your students?
MORE CONTEST INFO
Everything you need to take part:
[Rules] =>
THE STORY- Mini sagas must be the students' own work.
- Mini sagas can be written on the entry form, on a separate sheet of paper, or typed.
- The word limit is 100 words, not including the title, but entries can be shorter.
- Students can work together. Please include both names on one entry form.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
- Each entry should include the student's name and age.
- First names only or initials can be used if needed.
SENDING YOUR ENTRIES
- There is no limit to the number of students a school can enter.
- There is one entry per student.
- Where possible, please submit your students entries together.
- Please include one Teacher Entry Form per teacher.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Free to enter.
- No purchase necessary to win.
- Open to US entrants only.
- Copyright remains with the author.
[School Prizes] =>
TOP SCHOOL
Young Writers' Award of Excellence
PLUS a free book for participating schools
Every participating school with students published will receive a free copy of the book featuring their students’ work.
The more entries you send, the more free books you’ll receive:
1–30 entries = 1 free copy
•
31–60 entries = 2 free copies
•
and so on.
[Student Prizes] =>
TOP 5 WRITERS
$50 Amazon gift card each
Get published
Students could have their story published in a Young Writers book and see their writing in print.
Certificate of Merit
Writers whose work we'd love to publish will receive a Certificate of Merit to celebrate their achievement.
Every entrant receives a bookmark
A little something to celebrate taking part in Wanted.
(School and student winners will be chosen from entries received Sept-Nov 2026. No purchase necessary.)
[Tips] =>
[YouTube] => bfh65ev6-yM
[Opens] => 2026-08-20
[Closes] => 2026-11-13
[Extended] => 1
[Orion ID] => 766
[RR Ontraport ID] =>
[DL Ontraport ID] => 853
[Post Class] => Middle & High
[Orion Teacher Year] => Middle & High
[How to Enter] =>
[Winners Subheading] =>
[Winners Intro] =>
[Winner Word] =>
[Schools/Clubs] => Schools
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[Independent Intro] =>
WHAT DOES WANTED MEAN TO YOU?
One word.
Hundreds of possibilities.
Just 100 words to tell your story.
Maybe someone is wanted for a crime they didn't commit. Maybe there's something you've always wanted to know. Someone wants revenge. Someone wants to change the world. Or perhaps something precious has disappeared and somebody wants it back...
Take WANTED in any direction you like and turn your idea into an original mini saga of no more than 100 words.
WRITE IT. ENTER IT. GET PUBLISHED.
Your 100-word story could turn you into a published author.
Enter Wanted for the chance to see your mini saga published in a real Young Writers anthology.
5 WRITERS WILL EACH WIN A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD
Writers whose work we'd love to publish will also receive a Certificate of Merit.
WHAT COULD YOU WRITE?
Stuck for an idea? Start with one of these and see where your imagination takes you...
I wanted to be heard...
Who has been ignoring them, and what happens when they finally speak up?
I was wanted for a crime I didn’t commit...
Who framed them, and can they prove the truth?
I wanted to know what was behind the door...
What do they discover when curiosity gets the better of them?
I wanted revenge...
What happened, and how far are they prepared to go?
I wanted to make the world a better place...
What do they decide to change, and what stands in their way?
They wanted it back...
What was taken, who has it now, and why does it matter?
Or come up with something completely your own.
There’s no single way to interpret WANTED. Take the theme wherever your imagination leads.
READY TO WRITE?
You only need an idea and 100 words. Here’s how to get from WANTED to your finished mini saga.
1
CHOOSE
Pick your WANTED idea
2
IMAGINE
Decide what happens
3
WRITE
Tell your story in 100 words
4
ENTER
Send us your mini saga
MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT
A mini saga might be short, but it can still tell a brilliant story. Before you enter, try these quick tips:
Start where the action is
With only 100 words, there’s no need for a long introduction.
Keep your idea focused
One strong idea can make a great mini saga.
Give your story an ending
A twist, surprise, discovery, or final decision can make those last few words count.
Check your word count
Your story can be fewer than 100 words, but not more. The title doesn’t count towards the limit.
HOW TO ENTER
Finished your WANTED mini saga? Entering is simple.
1. CHECK YOUR STORY
Make sure your mini saga is your own work and is no more than 100 words, not including the title.
2. ADD YOUR DETAILS
Make sure the information requested on the entry form is complete.
3. SEND IT IN
Submit your entry before the contest closing date and your mini saga is officially in!
READY FOR WANTED?
Send us your story and show us where your imagination can take you.
OR
OR
MAIL
Mail your entry, along with your name and full address, to:
Young Writers Wanted
77 Walnut Street
Unit 11
Peabody, MA 01960
[Independent Rules] =>
YOUR STORY
• Your mini saga must be your own work.
• Your mini saga can be written on the entry form, on a separate sheet of paper, or typed.
• The word limit is 100 words, not including the title, but your story can be shorter.
YOUR ENTRY
• Include your name and age on your entry.
• First names only or initials can be used if needed.
• One entry per person.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Free to enter.
• No purchase is necessary to win.
• Open to US entrants only.
• Copyright remains with the author.
[Independent Prizes] =>
5 WINNING WRITERS
$50 Amazon gift card each
Become a published author
Our 5 favorite published writers will each win a $50 Amazon gift card.
Every entrant receives a bookmark
Everyone who enters will receive a bookmark for taking part.
Celebrate getting published
Every student whose story we'd love to publish will also receive a Certificate of Merit.
Winners will be chosen from entries received Sept-Nov 2026, and independent entrants are eligible for student prizes. No purchase necessary.
[Meta Title] => Wanted: Free Writing Contest for Middle & High School Students
[Meta Description] => Challenge students to write an exciting 100-word mini saga with Wanted, a free creative writing contest for US middle and high school students.
[Meta Keywords] => middle school writing contest, high school writing contest, creative writing contest for teens, student writing contest, 100 word story contest, free writing contest, Young Writers USA
[Share Title] => Can Your Students Save the Day in 100 Words?
[Share Description] => Heroes, villains, daring rescues, and impossible missions. Challenge young writers to pack an unforgettable adventure into just 100 words.
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[Category] => Middle & High
[Type] => creative-writing
[Country] => USA
[Resource Hub Text] =>
[Letters Sent Date] => 2027-02-12
[Letters Sent Satus] => ⏳ In Progress
[Books Published Start Date] => 2027-01-29
[Books Published End Date] => 2027-04-30
[Books Published Status] => ⏳ Coming Soon
[Winners Announced Date] => 2027-05-28
[Winners Announced Status] => ⏳ Coming Soon
[How to Enter Image] =>
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)
[date_created] => 2026-08-14 09:58:06
[last_updated] => 2026-11-09 09:22:15
[sort_order] => 5
[incoming] => 0
[live] => 1
[archived] => 0
[deleted] => 0
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