Pikes Peak Library District is excited to announce the call for submissions for All Pikes Peak Writes! All Pikes Peak Writes is PPLD’s annual fiction writing contest for ages 12+, and seeks to highlight writers in our community through one contest. This year’s contest will have three categories: Middle School and High School (ages 12 - 18), Young Adult (ages 19 - 24), and Adult (ages 25+). Please see the guidelines, rules for entry, and submission form for each category below.
Submissions will be accepted Mon., June 12, through 9 p.m. on Sun., July 23.
Middle School and High School Entry (ages 12 - 18)
Young Adults Entry (ages 19 - 24)
Adults Entry (ages 25+)
Eligibility:
All Pikes Peak Writes is open to El Paso County residents ages 12+.
Judging:
Entries will be judged on quality of writing, use of language, plot development and resolution, believable characters, and correct punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
Awards:
Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place entries in each category. Winners will be announced in late August.
Please contact hbuljung@ppld.org or lpowers@ppld.org for questions or more information.
Middle School and High School (ages 12 - 18)
The Challenge:
Write a story, up to 2,500 words, starting with the opening line: “The train screeched to a halt.”
Submit your story
Guidelines:
- Must be ages 12 to 18.
- Must be an El Paso County resident.
- Word count must not exceed 2,500 words. Word count will be established by using Microsoft Word. Points will be automatically deducted from the total score of the piece if the word count exceeds 2,500 words.
- Pieces must include a title page with the title and author’s name. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else on the document.
- Pieces must be double-spaced and in 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font with the title and page number in the upper right-hand corner.
- Only one entry per person.
- Participants must fill out the form and submit your story below by Sun., July 23 at 9 p.m. The file format should be PDF, .doc, or.docx. If you need to convert a file, please visit a library location.
- Failure to follow the guidelines will result in disqualification.
FAQs
When will I know if I have won?
- We will notify participants in late August if they have won an award.
Are you publishing the anthology again?
- Yes! We will be publishing the top three stories in all categories (Middle School/High School, 19 - 24, and 25+).
Will I get feedback for my work?
- Yes! You will receive a copy of the judges’ comments after the contest concludes.
Do I have to turn in my story online?
- Yes. To better facilitate the process, we are requiring all stories be turned in digitally. You can stop by any PPLD location to use one of our computers for this purpose.
Young Adult (ages 19 - 24)
The Challenge:
Write a story, up to 3,500 words, starting with the opening line: “The train screeched to a halt.”
Submit your story
Guidelines:
- Must be ages 19 - 24.
- Must be an El Paso County resident.
- Word count must not exceed 3,500 words. Word count will be established by using Microsoft Word 2016. Points will be automatically deducted from the total score of the piece if the word count exceeds 3,500 words.
- Pieces must include a title page with title and author’s name. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else on the document.
- Pieces must be double-spaced and in 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font with the title and page number in the upper right-hand corner.
- Only one entry per person.
- Participants must fill out the form and submit your story below by Sun., July 23 at 9 p.m. The file format should be PDF, .doc, or.docx. If you need to convert a file, please visit a library location.
- Failure to follow the guidelines will result in disqualification.
FAQs
When will I know if I have won?
- We will notify participants in late August if they have won an award.
Are you publishing the anthology again?
- Yes! We will be publishing the top three stories in all categories (Middle School/High School, 19 - 24, and 25+).
Will I get feedback for my work?
- Yes! You will receive a copy of the judges’ comments after the contest concludes.
Do I have to turn in my story online?
- Yes. To better facilitate the process, we are requiring all stories be turned in digitally. You can stop by any PPLD location to use one of our computers for this purpose.
Adults (ages 25+)
The Challenge:
Write an original fiction story of up to 3,500 words.
Submit your story
Guidelines for entry:
- Must be ages 25+.
- Must be an El Paso County resident.
- One story may be submitted per entrant.
- Qualifying stories are: original, previously unpublished, and no longer than 3,500 words.
- Word count will be established by using Microsoft Word 2016.
- Stories must be double-spaced and typed in 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font.
- Submission must include title page with title and author’s name. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else on the document.
- The title of the story should appear on the upper right-hand corner of each page followed by the page number.
- Entries must be received by Sun., July 23 at 9 p.m.
- The file format should be PDF, .doc, or.docx. If you need to convert a file, please visit a library location.
- Failure to follow the guidelines will result in disqualification.
FAQs
When will I know if I have won?
- We will notify participants in August if they have won an award.
Are you publishing the anthology again?
- Yes! We will be publishing the top three stories in all categories (Middle School/High School, 19 - 24, and 25+).
Will I get feedback for my work?
- Yes! You will receive a copy of the judges’ comments after the awards ceremony.
Do I have to turn in my story online?
- Yes. To better facilitate the process, we are requiring all stories be turned in digitally. You can stop by any PPLD location to use one of our computers for this purpose.