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Unsolved 2026 | Creative Writing Contest | Middle & High
Bring the tension, intrigue, and excitement of crime fiction straight into your classroom with Unsolved.
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEB 27
Engage your students with story-telling with Unsolved, the latest creative writing contest for 10-18 year-olds.
Carefully crafted story starters help students overcome the blank page and get writing fast. As they step into the roles of suspect, witness, victim, or investigator, your classroom will buzz with discussion, planning, and purposeful writing.
The mystery genre will inspire students to experiment with character, viewpoint, tension, and structure, whilst the 100-word limit will encourage them to sharpen their vocabulary and plot choices.
With exciting prizes, the opportunity to see their work published, and a theme that students genuinely want to write about, Unsolved inspires confidence and creativity across all abilities, including reluctant writers.
To support you in the classroom, we’ve created a set of free, downloadable resources, including four flexible activities, engaging story starters, and a ready-made slide deck (also available in Google Slides) so you can create whole-class lessons or independent writing sessions. Download them now, and get your class writing today!
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 together where possible, use one Teacher Entry Form per teacher
Entries must be the students' own original work
Mini sagas can be submitted on the entry form, a sheet of paper or typed (on a computer or using the Online Writing Portal)
Mini sagas have a 100-word limit (the title is not included in the word limit).
If a story starter/ending is used, it must be included in the 100-word limit.
Each student's name, age and school name should be included on their entry. (Entries can be submitted with first names only or initials if needed.)
This exciting contest is ideal for students aged 10-18
Entries can only be accepted if written in English
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.
For Schools
The Young Writers' Award of Excellence will be awarded to the school that submits the best set of entries.
PLUS
Every participating school receives a complimentary 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. Every participating school receives at least 1 free copy their students feature in.)
For Students
Our 3 favorite writers each win a $50 Amazon gift card!
Plus, every entrant receives a bookmark. Students whose work we'd love to publish also receive a certificate of merit.
(Winners will be chosen from entries received in Jan-Feb 2026).
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 Unsolved 77 Walnut Street Unit 11 Peabody MA 01960
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