LAFAYETTE, La. (January 3, 2024) – Students: Tell us your story in English, French, or Spanish! The Lafayette Public Library is now accepting original submissions for the 2024 Writes of Spring writing contest—this annual competition fosters creative writing among the youth in our local community.
The contest is open to all students in grades K-12, whether public, private, or homeschooled, who reside in Lafayette Parish or the surrounding parishes: St. Landry, Acadia, St. Martin, Vermilion, and Iberia. Students may submit their own original, unpublished work (in English, French, or Spanish) in only one of the following genres:
Poetry – 1-3 poems, 100 lines total
Short Fiction – K-6 graders: maximum 750 words; 7-12 graders: maximum 1,500 words Personal Narrative – K-6 graders: maximum 750 words; 7-12 graders: maximum 1,500 words
*One entry per student will be accepted. Submissions should be double-spaced with 12-point font.
All students are encouraged to enter the writing contest using the online entry/submission form at LafayettePublicLibrary.org. Paper (non-digital) submissions will only be accepted for students in grades K – 6. The paper entry form can be found on our website or at your nearest Lafayette Public Library. Entries must be turned in by the March 15, 2024, deadline at any Lafayette Public Library location.
All other eligible students (7-12 grade) must submit their entries electronically using the online form. This is a Google Docs form, which requires using a Gmail account. If you do not have a Gmail account or Google Docs login or are having difficulties with the form, please email ben.paramore@lafayettepubliclibrary.org for assistance. All entries are due by Friday, March 15, 2024.
For complete details about the 2024 Writes of Spring writing contest and links to the entry forms, visit LafayettePublicLibrary.org.
Any teen planning to submit their work to the Writes of Spring Writing Contest may want to register for the Teen Writing Workshop with author Richard Goodman. He is an accomplished local author who has written for the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and published multiple books. Learn writing tips, craft compelling stories, and get feedback and guidance. The workshop will occur at West Regional Library on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Ages 12 – 18; click here beginning January 6, 2024, to regster.
