<p>What are some writing contests for high school students for prose/poetry/essays etc.? I'm trying to enter some since I'm more interested in that than math/science competitions, but apparently my school isn't very knowledgeable about these things, and I never hear about these contests before someone suddenly wins one.</p>
<p>Where should I start? I tried looking online but I mainly found scams and such. What are some more well-known or discreet ones that you guys know about? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>There are many of these you can find at Fastweb.com, some for scholarships, etc.</p>
<p>Google it for essay contests, some that I know of are the Optimist Essay Competition, DIET poetry comp. etc. But most of them, the deadlines have passed...(mostly in Jan and early Feb.)</p>
<p>Consiglieri start your own poetry/literature publishing group, write pieces on your own, and then try to make them uber perfecto. Then showcase them to your school or friends or actually try to publish them. That way you can show dedication to your interests over the span of months and years, not just brief entries to contests. Submit your writing portfolio when you apply to college that way adcoms can see your interest and passion.</p>
<p>Seven Nights, how would I go about that? I tried talking to my teacher about publishing this piece that I had really honed and she just told me to research it by myself. I really don't want to seem overbearing, guys, but can anyone tell me of some specific magazines/journals that let people submit? But thank you for the porfolio suggestion. :) What do you mean by publishing/lit group?</p>
<p>Form a group (either with others or by yourself) and give your magazine a name- like The Azores (or whatever name you please). Then (either self-fund yourself or fundraise or get money from your school) and publish your pieces semiannually.</p>
<p>Seven Nights - sorry if i come off as ignorant, but can you elaborate on this whole self-publishing thing? It sounds like a fantastic idea and I would really enjoy it. I guess I lost you with the word "publish". Exactly, what kind of publishing are you referring to?</p>
<p>nfaa.org: National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts has a senior-art-recognition program. If you're a senior, that's good, and if you win you get some serious money. Categories for short story, poetry, plays, creative nonfiction, and novel excerpts.</p>
<p>Princeton Poetry Prize--for juniors only
Howard Nemerov Creative Writing Awards at Washington University of St. Louis--for seniors and juniors, poetry and prose categories
Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize at Kenyon College--for sophomores and juniors
Nancy Thorp Poetry Prize at Hollins University--only for sophomore and junior girls</p>
<p>All of those have web sites--if you use a search engine and the prize names you'll find them--but all my bookmarks in this browser were recently wiped by a virus so I can't give them to you offhand. Sorry, and hope these help!</p>