Write-On Competition for Grades 4–12
Note: Submissions open for the 2026 contest on Thursday, Sept. 24, and close on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Check back for the submission link.
Looking for a way to showcase your writing skills? Want to win cash prizes? Then, submit your entry to Write-On! There are three levels of competition: Grades 4–6, 7–8, and 9–12. Every level has two categories for submission: "Short Stories" and "Poetry."
As part of Write-On, we host an author event where we announce the competition winners. Write-On is generously sponsored by the Gift of Carl Foundation.
You’re Invited
An Evening with Lindsay Currie
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7–8 p.m
A night for kids in grades 4–12 and adults. Even if you didn’t enter the contest, you’re invited to attend. We’d love to have you! Lindsay Currie is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for young readers, including the Delta Games series and X Marks the Haunt. She grew up on Nancy Drew and loves a good twisty tale. When she's not writing, Lindsay can generally be found looking for an adventure of her own. She loves researching forgotten history and recently relocated from Chicago to a 220-acre farm in downstate Illinois, where she finally gets to see stars every night and take hikes every day. Her newest novel, The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society, releases in October 2026.
Submission Guidelines
Note: Submissions open for the 2026 contest on Thursday, Sept. 24, and close on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Check back for the submission link.
There are three levels of competition: Grades 4–6, 7–8, and 9–12. Cash prizes for first, second, and third, respectively.
Submission Guidelines
- Students who enter the contest must attend a school or live in the Indian Prairie Public Library District.
- Original short stories must be 2,000-6,000 words. Poetry may be of any length.
- All words must be your own.
- Al can be used to check grammar and style in entrants’ original written work. Stories/poems or parts of stories/poems cannot be AI-generated.
- Entrants may enter up to three submissions in each category.
- Entries must be typed, double-spaced, and in a 12-point font.
- Entries must include grade, submission category, and title in the upper right corner. Important: DO NOT include your name on your entry. We will get your name from the completed entry form.
- Spelling, grammar, and punctuation count.
- Submit online entries as a Word (.docx) file.
- IPPL reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the submission format or guidelines.
About the Gift of Carl
Write-On is generously sponsored by the Gift of Carl Foundation, which is named in memory of Carl Vuillaume. Carl was a lover of reading, writing, music, and the outdoors, living by the motto “carpe diem.” Tragically, Carl drowned while vacationing with his family in 2005 at the age of 16. His family received donations and wanted to do something positive with the money—the Gift of Carl Foundation was born. His family approached the library about doing something that would have a lasting impact and honor Carl’s love for the arts and outdoors.
