We at Storyworks are always looking for new writers. And we think one of those new writers might be YOU. Have a teacher, parent, or legal guardian submit your writing to our Kid Fiction Writing Contest and you could win a prize and have your fiction story published at Storyworks Digital.

Step 1: Choose one of the first lines below to start your story:

 

1. We all knew the cafeteria was haunted.

 

2. Looking back, I should have known that getting a pet monkey was a huge mistake.

 

3. Everyone was counting on me.

Step 2: Write a short story starting with your chosen line.

For help and inspiration, check out the videos and fiction stories below.

And ask your teacher for our Fiction Writing Tool Kit!

Step 3: Edit and revise.

Make sure your story is between 800 and 3,000 words.

Entries will be judged on:

  • Creativity
  • A clear beginning, middle, and end 
  • Details that show how the main character changes through the story
  • Correct use of dialogue, description, and figurative language
  • Don’t forget to type or write neatly and proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation!

Step 4: Have a teacher, parent, or legal guardian submit your entry!

Entries must be written by a student in grades 2-8 and must be submitted by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian of the student. Entries submitted by someone under 18 will be deleted and disqualified.

Teacher, parent, or legal guardian:

Fill out this entry form.

Send the story and completed entry form to us by March 1, 2025.*

Email entries to:

storyworks_contest@scholastic.com

Or mail entries to:

“Fiction Writing Contest”
c/o Scholastic Storyworks
130 Mercer St., 4th Fl.
New York, NY 10012

See Official Rules

Grand Prize:

One grand prize winner will have their story published at Storyworks Digital and will receive a $50 gift card for the online Scholastic Store.

The winner's teacher will win a free two-year class subscription to Storyworks.

Finalists:

Two finalists will win a $20 gift card for the online Scholastic Store.

Runners-Up:

Ten runners-up will win a Storyworks prize.

Watch these videos to learn how to write the perfect fiction story.

How to Write a Story

Tips on writing fiction by author Jason Reynolds.
What Is a Plot?

Learn all about the building blocks of plot.
What Is a Character?

Learn all about what makes a great character.

Share our interactive Fiction Writing Tool Kit to guide your students through planning each element of their short fiction story from beginning to end (also available as a printable PDF).

Fiction Writing Tool Kit

Share this interactive slide deck with students to help them brainstorm and plan their fiction story.

Printable Tool Kit

Print out this PDF for students to help them brainstorm and plan their fiction story.

Don’t miss reading the stories that have won the Grand Prize in the past few years, plus some favorites from the Storyworks archive.

Focus On: Character Girl Can’t Dance Emma dreams of being famous. What will she give up to make her dream come true?
Focus On: Plot The Day the Worms Moved In Nothing terrifies Maddie more than worms. How will she deal with 1,500 of these creepy, slithery creatures in her garage?
Focus on: Setting My Rows and Piles of Coins Every week, Saruni counts the coins in his box, dreaming about the day he will buy his bicycle.
Focus On: Theme The Mystery of the Cactus Arm What could be whispering outside Oliver’s window? And what is it trying to tell him?
Focus On: Inference The Good Deed Heather just wants her Girl Scout badge. What she gets is an eye-opening lesson.
Focus On: Author's Craft Veronica's Pack A shy girl discovers how to build strength in numbers
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