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Monster Mini Tales | Creative Writing Contest | Ideal for 6-13
Go wild about writing with Monster Mini Tales!
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEB 27
Monster Mini Tales is the latest writing contest designed to spark writing joy in your students. They can let their imaginations run riot as they design and create their very own unique monster, then write a story about it.
Writing their story as a mini saga (a story told in up to 100 words) allows them to focus on description, word choice, and plot, and takes away the fear of long-form writing, so even the most reluctant of writers will be eager to join in!
From a cute fluffball with a nasty bite to a giant monster who just wants to make friends, the possibilities are endless. Your students will love creating their creatures, and you'll all love the opportunity to put their writing skills into practice in a purposeful and meaningful way.
Benefits of entering:
😈 Free to enter
🐉 Colorful graphic organizers to engage your students
👾 Gives your students a purpose for their writing
👻 Opportunity for your students to be published in a real book
👹 Free book for your school
👽 Bookmark for every entrant
The FREE resources will not only make planning a breeze for you, but also help to inspire your students and build their writing confidence. You can download examples, a lesson plan, slide deck (also available in Google Slides) and more!
Download the graphic organizer today and set your class on the path to being fang-tastic, confident writers!
Extended
Closing Date: Friday Feb 27, 2026
We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...
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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:
Extended
Closing Date: Friday Feb 27, 2026
Only one entry per student.
There is no limit to the number
of entries per school. Teachers please submit your entries altogether where
possible!
Use one teacher entry form per teacher entering
Ask your students to write their story (or an adult can
scribe/type it), ensuring their name, age and school name are included. (Entries can be submitted with first names only or initials if needed.)
Work can be on the entry form or a letter-size sheet of
paper or typed (on a computer or in the Online Writing Portal).
Students' stories must be their own work!
Please note on the
entry if there is anything we need to take into consideration when reading the
work.
100 word limit
Entries can only be accepted if written in English
US entrants only.
Free to enter.
Ideal for 6-13 year-olds. (Students outside this age range are welcome 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
The school that submits the best set of entries will win Young Writers' Award of Excellence.
PLUS every participating school receives a free copy of the book their students feature in!
(Remember, you receive 1 free copy for every 30 entries you submit! E.g. 1-30 entries you receive 1 copy, 31-60 entries you receive 2 copies, etc. Every participating school will receive at least 1 copy of the book their students feature in.)
For Students
Our 5 favorite published writers will each win a fantastic creative writing goody bag!
PLUS
Every entrant receives a bookmark, and we award a certificate of merit to students whose work we'd love to publish!
(School and student winners will be chosen from entries received Jan-Feb 2026. Goody bag image is an example, contents may differ.)
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 Mail
Send your entries, along with your school entry form, to:
Young Writers Elementary 77 Walnut Street Unit 11 Peabody MA 01960
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