🍪 Important information about cookies
We use cookies to help us improve your experience with us. By continuing to use our site, you are accepting such use.
The Magic Map | Creative Writing Contest | Elementary
Go on a story-telling adventure to any time, any place with The Magic Map
Explore creativity in your classroom and inspire your students to write mini sagas (stories told in up to 100 words).
The Magic Map can transport them anywhere in space and time using the
power of imagination, so it's the perfect activity to link to history, geography, language, science or reading topics, or let
creativity run wild!
Check out the video that introduces the activity to your pupils.
Benefits of Entering
✨ Students can put their ELA learning into practice for a real audience
✨ 100-word limit helps focus
writing and improve vocabulary
✨ Fantastic writing stamina
practice
✨ Open theme to let creativity
shine
✨ Brilliant prizes
✨ See students' writing confidence
and pride flourish when they see their work published in a book.
There are free resources available to download including a
ready-made lesson plan and accompanying PowerPoint (also available in Google Slides), model stories and image
prompts.
It's time to chart a course for writing success with The Magic Map - we can't
wait to see where it takes your students!
Closing Date: Friday Jun 6, 2025
We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...
“
”
This is my sixth year using YW to publish my students' writing and they are so easy to work with! My students are always excited to use the provided theme and challenge themselves to be chosen!
Thank you so much for another opportunity! The class really enjoyed this.
Justina Denapoli, Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy, NYSee more...
The students enjoyed the freedom of this project (Peculiar Pets). It got them excited to write.
Amanda Peterson, Christ The King School, NYSee more...
Peculiar Pets was a great activity!
Anne Piccoli, Immaculate Heart Of Mary School, NYSee more...
Thank you for the intriguing prompts and engaging activities! I look forward to these contests each year.
Mike Carter, Millis Middle/High School, MASee more...
My students absolutely loved the challenge of writing mini sagas!
Darla Bubar, Edward Town Middle School, NYSee more...
The story starters are so fun!
Nichole Charbonneau, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, MASee more...
My students look forward to this contest every year, and so do I!
Rachel Barnes, Monomay Regional High School, MASee more...
This was such a fun way to have my students engaged with their writing!
Christina Guertin, Midland Street School, NYSee more...
This is my sixth year using YW to publish my students' writing and they are so easy to work with! My students are always excited to use the provided theme and challenge themselves to be chosen!
To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:
Closing Date: Friday Jun 6, 2025
Only one entry per student, there is no limit to the number of entries per school.
Teachers please submit your entries together where possible! Include one Teacher Entry Form per teacher.
Entries can be scribed by an adult or typed.
Entries do not have to be on the entry form - please ensure the work is named.
Mini sagas must be your students' own work.
Students can work together - please enter both names on one entry form.
Mini sagas must be told in no more than 100 words (the title isn't included in this).
Ensure that all students include their name and age on their entries.
US entrants only.
Free to enter.
Copyright remains with the author.
If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.
For Schools
Young Writers’ Award of Excellence is awarded to the school that submits the best set of entries for this contest.
PLUS every participating school receives a free copy of the book their students feature in.
(The more entries you send, the more free books you’ll receive: E.g. Send 1-30 entries & you'll receive 1 free copy, send 31-60 entries you'll receive 2 free copies, etc.)
For Pupils
Our favorite writer will win a fantastic creative writing goody bag!
PLUS every entrant receives a bookmark for taking part. Students chosen for publication also receive a certificate.
(The school & student winners will be chosen from the entries received April-June 2025 and prizes awarded the following semester.)
Enter Online
Email
Email your entries to [email protected]
and please ensure your students' names and ages are on their work, and that you include your name, school name and school address in your email. Thank you!
Please ensure your name, email and school name and address are included with your entries if you send entries digitally via a non-Young Writers service.
Send by Post
Send your entries, along with your school entry form, to:
Young Writers Elementary 77 Walnut Street Unit 11 Peabody MA 01960
Writing Tips
Get FREE writing tips sent straight to your inbox!
