I’ll be returning to The Center for Fiction this summer (via Zoom) to teach a new speculative fiction workshop for young writers.

Supernatural Summer
July 17–20, 2023
Monday–Thursday
1–2:30pm EDT via Zoom

Designed for young writers, ages 9-12, our Supernatural Summer KidsWrite Workshop returns for 2023, focusing on fostering creativity and confidence in a fun, encouraging environment over the course of four days. As we write supernatural short stories, we’ll explore key elements of genre fiction, including character, dialogue, setting, and world building. We’ll also discuss revision strategies, practice reading our work to others, and review techniques for giving and receiving feedback.

Note: These online sessions typically sell out in advance, so if you have any young writers (ages 9-12) in your life who might be interested, please don’t wait to register.

I haven’t updated the Resources for Educators page yet, but here are a couple of opportunities for young creators with deadlines coming up soon…

The Center for Fiction’s National Teen Storyteller Contest is open for submissions. This year’s theme is “stereotypes” and the deadline is May 31. The contest is part of the 2023 NEA Big Read, and details about the awards and instructions on how to submit are on the Center’s National Teen Storyteller Contest site.

The Center for Fiction invites young writers, ages 13-18 to submit their best work for our National Teen Storyteller Contest. As part of our programming for the 2023 NEA Big Read celebration of Charles Yu’s  Interior Chinatown, we are looking for short fiction on the theme of Stereotypes for a chance to win publication to our Short Story Dispenser, online publication on our website, and more!

The damaging effects of stereotypes are central to the remarkable story told in Charles Yu’s brilliant novel Interior Chinatown. With this year’s Big Read programming, we aim to shine a light on perspectives that have been overlooked, often due to prevailing stereotypes and imposed limitations. We invite young writers to explore the theme of stereotypes in original short fiction. The theme can be broadly interpreted or in direct response to the novel Interior Chinatown. The stories should be between 300–1,000 words. Winners will be announced in July!

Illustoria has two upcoming calls for young writers and artists. Both have a deadline of Monday, May 15, 2023, and are open to artists 14 years old and younger worldwide. Details below:

#1) Book Review Contest

Prompt: Tell us about your favorite biography of an inventive thinker—someone who had a bright idea or paved the way for others. Books about inventors, activists, engineers, and artists are all welcome! This review can be for a graphic novel, picture book, or chapter book.

-Tell us the name and author⁠⁠
-Write a 3-5 sentence review (please have this typed, not hand-drawn) ⁠⁠
-Include a drawing of the book’s cover⁠⁠

Submit work to⁠ youthsubmissions@mcsweeneys.net with the subject line “Biography” for a chance to have it featured. The chosen artwork will be published in Illustoria #22: Invention, which will come out in November 2023. Deadline: Monday, May 15, 2023.⁠

Include the artist’s name, age, city, and state. This call is open to artists up to 14 years old worldwide. ⁠⁠

#2) Drawn By You Contest

Prompt: Imagine you have created your own robot best friend. What would it look like, and what special features would it have?

More questions to consider: Would your robot help you with chores? Or would it help with scary situations, like standing behind you at the public swimming pool diving board? Could it make you a tower of a hundred grilled cheese sandwiches? Would it look like a traditional robot made of metal with buttons? Or would it look entirely out of the ordinary?

Submit work to⁠ youthsubmissions@mcsweeneys.net with the subject line “My Robot Best Friend” for a chance to have it featured. The chosen artwork will be published in Illustoria #22: Invention, which will come out in November 2023. Deadline: Monday, May 15, 2023.⁠

Include the artist’s name, age, city, and state. This call is open to artists up to 14 years old worldwide. ⁠⁠

Also as a reminder, if you’re looking to bring a set of Illustoria magazine into your classroom, use the code “illustorialibrary” for 15% off orders of ten copies or more while supplies last.

*Also, educators take note: Illustoria has recently launched an Educator Guide and they’re looking for feedback.