Creative writing gives middle and high school students an opportunity to develop their storytelling skills, creativity, and unique voice. This article introduces nine outstanding international creative writing competitions covering poetry, short stories, memoirs, nonfiction, and multimedia storytelling. It also offers guidance on how to choose the right competition and build a participation plan based on each student’s age and experience. For many students, these competitions can be a valuable starting point for strengthening their writing skills, building an extracurricular profile, and developing a lasting passion for writing.
Unlike academic essay competitions, creative writing emphasizes storytelling, language, imagination, and personal perspective. Students are not necessarily required to write about a specific academic topic. Instead, they can freely express their thoughts, emotions, and unique perspectives through a wide range of genres and formats.
What Is Creative Writing?
Creative Writing is a form of writing that focuses on storytelling, imagery, emotional expression, and the writer’s personal perspective.
Unlike academic or essay writing, creative writing does not necessarily need to be built around an argument or the analysis of a specific issue. Students can draw on their imagination and personal experiences to create original works that reflect their own unique voice.
Some of the most common forms of creative writing include:
- Poetry: Using language, imagery, and rhythm to express emotions or ideas.
- Short stories: Developing characters, settings, and plots to tell a story.
- Memoirs: Recounting a personal experience or period of life from an individual perspective.
- Personal essays: Exploring the writer’s thoughts, feelings, and observations about a particular topic or experience.
- Creative nonfiction: Using storytelling techniques to present real-life stories and experiences.
- Drama and screenwriting: Building stories through dialogue, characters, and dramatic action.
Creative writing is about more than using correct grammar or an extensive vocabulary. Students also need to learn how to observe the world around them, develop ideas, craft compelling stories, and ultimately discover their own unique voice.
Learn Creative Writing with Award-Winning Results
Why Should Students Learn Creative Writing?
Creative writing is not just for students who want to become authors. It is also a powerful way to develop skills that can support students both academically and beyond the classroom.
Strengthen Written Expression and Communication
Creative writing challenges students to choose the right words to communicate an idea, emotion, or story effectively. Through drafting and revision, students learn to express their thoughts more clearly, use language with greater precision, and adapt their writing to different audiences. These skills can transfer to many other forms of writing, from academic essays and research assignments to personal statements and college application essays.
Encourage Creative Thinking
Unlike assignments with one correct answer, creative writing gives students the freedom to explore multiple possibilities. A story can be told from different perspectives, and even a familiar experience can become something entirely new depending on how the writer chooses to approach it. This process encourages students to ask questions, experiment with ideas, take creative risks, and develop their own approach.
Build Observation and Critical Thinking Skills
Strong writing often begins with careful observation. To create meaningful characters, settings, and stories, students need to pay attention to the world around them and think deeply about people, relationships, society, and their own experiences. Writing from different perspectives also encourages students to consider how the same situation can be understood in different ways, helping them develop greater nuance and critical thinking.
Develop Persistence and Revision Skills
Strong writing rarely happens in the first draft. Students learn to reread their work, respond to feedback, refine their language, restructure ideas, and sometimes rewrite entire sections. Through this process, they begin to understand that strong work is often built through multiple rounds of improvement.
Help Students Find Their Individual Voice
One of the most valuable aspects of creative writing is helping students discover what they want to say and how they want to say it. For middle and high school students in particular, writing regularly can provide space to explore their interests, experiences, values, and the topics they genuinely care about. Over time, students can develop a more distinctive voice and a stronger sense of themselves as writers.
9 International Creative Writing Competitions for Middle and High School Students
1. Blue Planet Awareness Contest (formerly Ocean Awareness Contest)
The Ocean Awareness Contest is an international competition organized annually by Bow Seat that combines creative writing, art, and environmental themes.
The contest is open to students ages 11–18 from around the world. Students can submit work in a variety of categories, including:
- Poetry
- Creative Writing
- Film
- Music
- Visual Art
- Performing Arts
What makes this competition especially unique is its focus on using creativity to explore issues related to the ocean, the environment, and the relationship between people and the natural world.
Learn More: https://bowseat.org/programs/ocean-awareness-contest/contest-overview/
2. Quill & Scroll Writing, Photo & Multimedia Contest
Quill and Scroll is an international high school journalism honor society founded at the University of Iowa in 1926 to recognize and encourage student achievement in journalism and student media. The Quill & Scroll Writing, Photo & Multimedia Contest gives high school students the opportunity to compete across a wide range of categories related to writing, journalism, photography, and multimedia.
With more than 50 categories, the competition offers students many ways to showcase their strengths in writing and storytelling. In addition to written work, students can also submit photography, video, design, and other media projects. This makes the competition especially appealing to students who want to combine strong writing skills with an interest in journalism, media, or visual storytelling.
Learn More: https://quillandscroll.org/contests/
3. Bennington College Young Writers Awards
Bennington College Young Writers Awards is a writing competition for high school students hosted by Bennington College.
Students can submit work in three main categories:
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Nonfiction
This competition is a strong option for students who already have a solid foundation in writing and want to further develop their literary voice and craft.
One especially notable aspect of the awards is that winners may be eligible for substantial undergraduate scholarships to Bennington College, making the competition particularly appealing to students who are serious about pursuing creative writing in college and beyond.
Learn More: https://www.bennington.edu/events/bennington-young-creators-awards/bennington-young-writers-awards
4. The New York Times Student Writing and Creative Contests
The New York Times hosts a range of creative contests for students ages 13–19 around the world. Rather than focusing only on traditional essay writing, these contests encourage students to observe the world around them, reflect on their own experiences, and express their ideas from a personal perspective.
Some popular contests include:
- Tiny Memoir Contest – write a short memoir
- Summer Reading Contest – respond to and reflect on reading
- Open Letters Contest – write an open letter
- My List Review Contest – create a review in list format
- Multimedia Contest – produce a multimedia project
- Photo Essay Contest – tell a story through images
These contests are especially well suited for students who want to experiment with different forms of storytelling and turn everyday experiences, observations, and opinions into original work.
Students and families can view the full 2026–2027 New York Times Student Contest Calendar here.
Learn More: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/learning/our-2026-27-student-contest-calendar.html
5. Write the World Contests
Write the World is a global writing community for young writers that also hosts regular writing competitions for students ages 13–19. One of the platform’s biggest strengths is that students do more than simply submit work for competition. They can also receive feedback from an international community of young writers and experienced reviewers, giving them the opportunity to revise their work and grow as writers.
Competition themes and genres vary throughout the year and may include:
- Poetry
- Short Fiction
- Journalism
- Memoir
- Creative Writing
Write the World can be a great option for students who want to build a consistent writing habit, experiment with different genres, and become more comfortable sharing their work with a broader writing community.
Learn More: https://writetheworld.org/
6. River of Words Poetry & Art Contest
River of Words Poetry & Art Contest is an international poetry and visual art competition for students ages 5–19. The contest focuses on themes related to nature, the environment, and the relationship between people and the natural world.
Students can submit original poetry or visual artwork inspired by their observations and experiences of nature. This makes the contest a particularly strong fit for students who enjoy poetry, art, or interdisciplinary creative work. It is also a good option for students who want to explore environmental themes through personal expression rather than through a traditional academic essay.
Aralia Students Win Top Prizes in New York Times and Write the World Creative Writing Competitions
7. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
The Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest is an international writing competition for fiction and essays. It is a good fit for students who enjoy storytelling, developing characters, or using writing to explore different ideas and perspectives.
For students interested in fiction, this competition can be an opportunity to challenge themselves by developing a complete piece of writing rather than focusing only on shorter assignments in a school setting.
Learn more: https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/tom-howard-john-h-reid-fiction-essay-contest
8. The Betty Award
The Betty Award is a writing competition for children and students across different age groups.
Students can submit a variety of creative works, including:
- Short stories
- Poetry
- Other forms of creative writing
The competition is a flexible option for students looking for more opportunities to practice writing and share stories they have created. For students who are just beginning to explore creative writing, competitions like The Betty Award can also provide motivation to keep writing and develop their own unique voice.
Learn more: https://www.thebettyaward.com/
9. William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition
William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition is a creative writing competition named in honor of writers William Faulkner and William Wisdom.
The competition includes several categories for different forms of creative writing, including:
- Short stories
- Novels
- Poetry
- Creative nonfiction
This competition is a good option for students who want to explore different literary genres and develop their storytelling skills through creative work.
Learn more: https://faulknersociety.org/william-faulkner-wisdom-competition/
Which Creative Writing Competition Should Students Start With?
Not every creative writing competition is the right fit for every student. Before entering a competition, students and parents should consider factors such as the student’s age, preferred writing genre, competition requirements, and the time needed to prepare.
For example, students who enjoy writing poetry may want to consider competitions such as River of Words or Write the World. Meanwhile, students who enjoy developing stories and characters may prefer competitions focused on short stories and fiction.
For students interested in writing about personal experiences, The New York Times Tiny Memoir Contest or competitions that include memoir categories may be a good fit.
Most importantly, students should not choose a competition based solely on the value of the prizes. Creative writing is a process that takes time, involving reading, observation, experimentation, and revision. The right competition can help students stay motivated to write, strengthen their English writing skills, and develop their own unique writing style.
A Suggested Roadmap for International Creative Writing Competitions
Students do not need to start with the most competitive writing contests right away. A thoughtful progression can help them gradually explore creative writing, build their skills, and develop their own unique writing style over time.
Middle School: Explore Interests and Build a Strong Foundation
In middle school, students should focus on exploring different forms of writing and discovering the types of writing they enjoy most, such as poetry, short stories, memoir, or writing about nature and the environment.
Competitions with accessible themes and a variety of submission formats, such as the River of Words Poetry & Art Contest, the Ocean Awareness Contest, or competitions hosted by Write the World, can be good places to start.
At this stage, the goal does not necessarily have to be winning an award. Instead, students can focus on developing a regular writing habit, learning how to respond to feedback, revising their work, and gradually finding their own voice.
High School: Develop a Writing Style and Build a Strong Record
As students enter high school, they can begin focusing more deeply on one or several genres they genuinely enjoy while challenging themselves with competitions that have more rigorous requirements.
Students may consider competitions such as the Bennington College Young Writers Awards, the Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest, the William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, or writing and creative competitions hosted by The New York Times.
In addition to pursuing awards, students should begin building a personal writing portfolio by saving their strongest work, participating in a range of writing competitions and projects, and seeking opportunities to publish their work or receive feedback from experienced writers and mentors.
For students planning to apply to colleges, maintaining a sustained interest in writing over several years and developing increasing depth in a particular area can help create a more cohesive story of their interests, abilities, and personal growth throughout the college application process.
Read more:
Excel in Creative Writing Competitions with World-Class Instructors
With years of experience helping students prepare for international writing competitions, Aralia’s instructors support students in developing their writing skills and preparing submissions that meet the requirements of each competition. Our instructors include teachers and professors from U.S. high schools and universities, with experience guiding students across a wide range of writing disciplines.
Through the learning process, students not only strengthen their writing skills but also learn how to develop ideas, craft compelling pieces, revise their work, and express their individual voices with clarity. For students who enjoy writing fiction, poetry, memoir, or other forms of creative writing, participating in competitions during middle and high school can be a valuable step toward developing their writing abilities and building a strong foundation for their future academic journey.
Introduction to Creative Writing
This course will focus on three genres: poetry, fiction, and personal narrative. In each 90-minute session, students will complete creative writing exercises, read, short anchor texts, and write their own original work.
