THE SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS OF 2009
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, presents The
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2009, the nation's longestrunning, largest, most prestigious recognition program for
creative teenagers in the visual* and literary arts. This year, more
than 75,000 teens in grades 7 - 12 will accept the challenge to go
beyond the classroom assignment to create daring, innovative
works. There will be 30,000 teen artists and writers recognized in
their regions. 1,000 will win national awards.
Writing Categories
(See attached category descriptions and submission requirements)
Dramatic Script
General Writing Portfolio**
Humor
Journalism
Nonfiction Portfolio**
Novel Writing
Personal Essay/Memoir
Poetry
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Short Story
Short Short Story
* For information on Visual Art entries, contact Helena Ehlke at 414-224-3832 or helena.ehlke@mam.org
** Graduating high school seniors submit portfolios consisting of 3-8 works to the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers for scholarship consideration. The
Alliance awards twelve $10,000 scholarships to national Portfolio Gold Medalists: five in art, five in writing, and two in photography. National Portfolio
Silver Notable Achievement Medalists receive scholarships to $1,000.
Why do students participate?
Professional Evaluation: The Awards signify to parents, teachers, community, and
colleges that a student is an accomplished artist or writer. Each work is reviewed by a
panel of arts professionals for the following criteria:
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originality,
technical skill, and
emergence of personal vision or voice
National & Regional Recognition: Students earning national medals will be celebrated
at Carnegie Hall in June 2009. Additionally, national award medalists are invited to a
series of professional development workshops in New York City to learn about careers
in the arts. Many local winners receive additional recognition including scholarships,
public presentations of their work, and letters of commendation from public officials.
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Scholarships: More than $3.25 million in scholarships are available to graduating
seniors who earn national medals through the Alliance Scholarship Provider Network.
Twelve Portfolio Gold Medalists will earn $10,000 scholarships from the Alliance. Select
regions also offer cash awards, grants and other incentives.
Publication: The Alliance and its Regional Affiliates publish select award-winning
writing in books, magazines, newspapers, web sites and exhibition displays, including
the Alliance web site, the National Catalog, Spark: Creative Excellence by our Nation's
7th and 8th Grade Emerging Artists and Writers, and The Best Teen Writing, which is
distributed broadly to libraries, educators and universities.
HOW TO SUBMIT for WRITING AWARDS
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To participate in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, students must be in grades 7 – 12
for the 2008/2009 school year and enrolled in a public, private, parochial or home school
in the United States, Canada, or an American school abroad.
Register online at http://registration.artandwriting.org
Review attached Writing Categories document for instructions specific to each genre
Students can submit works in more than one genre, but only one submission per genre
Submit entries by published deadlines:
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Early Submissions: December 19 ($5 fee/individual work, $20 fee/portfolio)
Final Deadline: January 9 ($10 fee/individual work, $30 fee/portfolio)
MAIL ENTRIES to:
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Scholastic Writing Awards - WISCONSIN
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
Writing Category Descriptions and Special Instructions
For all categories, submissions cannot be based on already published works
POETRY
May include prose poetry, free verse, structured poetry (sonnets, haikus, sestinas, tankas,
cinquains, villanelles, etc.), song lyrics, and spoken word. A submission may consist of one of
several poems. Special Instructions: One collection of poetry allowed per student. Students who
are registering online should only register ONE poetry submission and list all titles in the title
field. Submissions do not have to be double-spaced.
Length Limits:
Grades 7-8: 35 - 100 lines
Grades 9-12: 50 - 200 lines
SHORT STORY
A tightly crafted fictional narrative. Special Instructions: Please note word length limits for
Short Story compared to Short Short Story. Short Stories where humor or science fiction/fantasy
are key elements should be submitted in those respective categories.
Length Limits:
Grades 7-8: 1,300 – 3,000 words
Grades 9-12: 1,300 – 3,000 words
SHORT SHORT STORY
A highly focused story concerning one central idea, conflict or situation. Special Instructions:
Please note word length limits for Short Story compared to Short Short Story. Short Short
Stories where humor or science fiction/fantasy are key elements should be submitted in those
respective categories.
Length Limits:
Grades 7-8: 600 – 1,300 words
Grades 9-12: 600 – 1,300 words
JOURNALISM
Articles for newspapers, newsletters, yearbooks, magazines, Web sites including feature stories,
biographical works, opinion pieces, position papers, editorial reviews (movies, books, plays,
etc.), and sports reviews. Special Instructions: Sources must be acknowledged. Footnotes/works
cited are not considered part of the word count. Research papers and literary analysis are not
generally accepted. Manuscript must follow all formatting guidelines and not contain images,
graphs or other visuals.
Do not submit articles in “newspaper format.” Do not submit works that heavily quote alreadypublished works.
Length Limits:
Grades 7-8: 400 – 2,000 words
Grades 9-12: 500 – 3,000 words
DRAMATIC SCRIPT
An original radio, television, film, or one-act stage play script.
Length Limits:
Grades 7-8: 5 to 50 pages
Grades 9-12: 5 to 60 pages
NOVEL WRITING
In collaboration with Scholastic Inc. PUSH imprint, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are
pleased to present the Novel Writing category. Novels are longer narratives, limited to 50 pages
or five chapters, whichever is shorter. If more than 50 pages or five chapters are submitted, the
first 50 pages or five chapters will be read. Adaptations of or sequels to already existing
published works are not accepted. The national-level Novel Gold Award recipient in this
category will work with a professional editor to complete his/her manuscript, with the
possibility of publication. There is only one National Novel Gold Award. Students whose works
are not recognized will not receive feedback on their submissions. Manuscripts are not
returned. Special Deadline for ALL Novels regardless of region: All novel submissions must be
submitted directly to: Alliance for Young Artists & Writers (Novel Writing), 557 Broadway,
New York, NY 10012 received by March 13, 2009.
Length Limits:
Must include at least three and no more than five chapters of an original novel
(minimum 15 pages, maximum 50 pages). The submission must also include an
outline for the entire book, not to exceed two pages which are not counted in the
50-page limit.
SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY
Stories or narratives that incorporate imaginary elements. Science Fiction explores the potential
effects of real or imagined science and technology on society or individuals. Fantasy creates its
own universe using imaginary or supernatural elements. Special Instructions: Do not base
characters on already published works from books, movies, comics, etc. Any manuscript where
science fiction/fantasy is the key element should
be submitted in this category, including dramatic scripts, poetry, short stories or short short
stories.
Length Limits:
Grades 7-8: 1,300 – 3,000 words
Grades 9-12: 1,300 – 3,000 words
PERSONAL ESSAY/MEMOIR
Self-revelatory work dealing with individual experience and reflection. Special Instructions:
Nonfiction work only. Fictional essays should be submitted in the Short Story or Short Short
Story categories.
Length Limits:
Grades 7-8: 500 – 2,000 words
Grades 9-12: 750 – 3,000 words
HUMOR
A satire, parody or humorous anecdote in any form/genre. Special Instructions: Any manuscript
where humor is the key element should be submitted in this category, including humorous
dramatic scripts, poetry, short or short short stories, personal essays, or journalism works.
Length Limits:
Grades 7-8: 600 – 3,000 words
Grades 9-12: 600 – 3,000 words
GENERAL WRITING PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIOS ARE OPEN ONLY TO STUDENTS GRADUATING IN 2009.
A body of the best three to eight works that demonstrates a high level in originality, technical
skill and personal voice. General writing portfolios consist of writing from any category or
combination of categories. Must include a table of contents, writer’s statement and letter of
recommendation.
Length Limits:
Up to 50 pages, not including table of contents or writer’s statement
NONFICTION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIOS ARE OPEN ONLY TO STUDENTS GRADUATING IN 2009.
A body of the best three to eight works that demonstrates a high level of originality, technical
skill and personal voice. Nonfiction portfolios consist of Journalism, Personal Essay/Memoir,
Humor and other nonfiction work. Must include a table of contents, writer’s statement and
letter of recommendation.
Length Limits:
Up to 50 pages, not including table of contents or writer’s statement.