🍪 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 hilarious creative contest that will spark writing joy for 6-13 year-olds!
Your students will love creating crazy combinations to inspire their mini sagas.
Introduce your students to the weird and wonderful world of Ridiculous Writers, the latest contest from Young Writers designed to delight and engage your students.
It's not about getting it right, it's about having FUN with writing!
Your students will love creating wacky characters using the activity sheet or coming up with their own and writing a 100-word story about them. We're not looking for perfection, we're looking for creativity - we want to see their unique ideas and imaginations on display, because there's nothing like the inventiveness and originality of children.
Ridiculous Writers is sure to create a buzz in your classroom which will translate into their writing, resulting in awesome stories!
Benefits of Taking Part
🧙 Free to enter 👻 Chance for your students to be published 🍪 100-word limit takes away the fear of long-form writing 🦄 Example stories from past winners to help inspire your students 🏈 Free book for your school 🍦 Ready-made lesson plan and PowerPoint (also available in Google Slides) to engage your students
This contest is ideal for 6-13 year-olds, but students outside that age range are welcome to enter.
Download the graphic organizer which will help your students to plan and write their story, and turn your class into engaged, confident writers today!
Closing Date: Friday Jun 19, 2026
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 19, 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! Include one Teacher Entry Form per teacher.
Mini sagas can be on the entry form or a sheet of paper or typed.
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) but can be fewer.
Ensure that all students include their name and age on their entries. (Entries can be submitted with first names only or initials if needed.)
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 Students
Our favorite writer will win a fantastic creative writing goody bag and a ridiculous trophy!
PLUS every entrant receives a bookmark for taking part. Certificates will be awarded to all students whose work we'd love to publish.
(The school & student winners will be chosen from published entries received April-June 2026 and prizes awarded the following semester. 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
Writing Tips
Get FREE writing tips sent straight to your inbox!
