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." Note: The submission period is now closed.
As part of Write-On, we host an author event, where we announce the winners of the competition. Write-On is generously sponsored by the Gift of Carl Foundation.
An Evening with Celia C. Pérez
Thursday, Nov. 16, 7-8 p.m.
Celia C. Pérez is the author of The First Rule of Punk, a 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book Strange Birds, a 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List Selection; and Tumble, which received six starred reviews and is an NPR Best Book of 2022. She lives in Chicago with her family, where in addition to writing books about lovable weirdos and outsiders, she works as a librarian. When she was in middle school, she filled diaries with recaps of televised wrestling matches.
Submission Guidelines
There are three levels of competition: Grades 4–6, 7–8, and 9–12. Cash prizes for first, second, and third, respectively.
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions are now closed.
- Original short stories must be 2,000-6,000 words. Poetry and song lyrics may be any length. All words must be your own.
- Entrants may enter up to three submissions in each category.
- Entries must be typed, double-spaced, and in a 12-point font.
- Spelling, grammar, and punctuation count.
- Students who enter the contest must attend a school or live in the Indian Prairie Public Library District.
- Submit online entries as a Word (.docx) file.
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.
