tulsa county library creative writing contest

The Tulsa Beacon

Young people’s creative writing contest.

The annual Young People’s Creative Writing Contest from Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) gives young writers the opportunity to share their stories.

With three age divisions in five different categories, TCCL encourages Tulsa County youths to tell their stories in their own words—or illustrations.

From Feb. 1-28, students ages 10-18 can participate in the contest by submitting their writing online, by mail or to any TCCL branch. The contest is free to enter for those who live or attend school in Tulsa County, or have a nonresident library card.

Within each of the following categories, there are three age divisions: 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18.

Participants may enter one manuscript per category but may enter all categories within their corresponding age group.

• Short Story – each entry no more than 1,500 words.
• Informal Essay – a short composition on a topic or issue giving your opinion or recounting a personal experience. Limited to 1,500 words.
• Poetry – one poem, no more than 300 words.
• Short Play – no more than six characters, no more than three locations, no more than 10 pages. Limited to five to 10 minutes in length.
• Comix – Entry must be complete in and of itself, and not a fragment of a larger work. No more than eight pages. Work can be with or without words, in black and white or color, and fiction or nonfiction.

Computer-generated images are acceptable as long as they are original works (no clip art). Use 8½” by 11″ paper and submit as flat work, not as a booklet.

Cash prizes are awarded in the following amounts: $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place.

All entrants will be invited to the awards presentation at 6 p.m. on May 6.

Featured speaker Nikki Grimes, winner of the Tulsa Library Trust’s 2022 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature, will help present awards to the contest winners.

For more information about the Young People’s Creative Writing Contest, call 918-549-7323 or visit www.tulsalibrary.org/YPCWC .

Tulsa City-County Library encourages locals to share stories in annual Adult Creative Writing Contest

 Feb. 6, 2024 --  What is missing from the bookshelves of the world? Your perspective. Now is the time to be your own author and write your story. 

   Local wordsmiths are invited to enter the annual Adult Creative Writing Contest from Feb. 1-April 1 for a chance to win cash and have their stories shared. This annual event is sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries. The contest is open to any person 18 years or older who lives, works, attends school in Tulsa County or has a nonresident Tulsa City-County Library card. 

   Submissions of unpublished original text are welcomed in five categories:

• Poetry – The total number of words may include more than one poem. If more than one poem is submitted within the 400-word limit, all poems are considered, but only one poem can receive an award. Only one cover sheet is required for all of the poems in one entry. 
• Informal Essay – A short composition considering a single topic and usually personal in approach. No research, technical reports or religious treatises will be considered. A maximum of 5,000 works will be accepted.
• Children’s Fiction – Works in which illustrations are integral may be submitted, but judging is based primarily on the text, with a 3,000-word limit.
• Short Story – A narrative, fictional, prose story having a central theme with a 5,000-word limit.
• Young Adult Fiction – Fiction aimed at ages 12-18 with a 5,000-word limit.

   A $150 cash prize and a certificate are awarded to the best work within each category. Second-place winners receive a $100 cash prize and a certificate. Certificates and $25 are awarded to those receiving honorable mention. Individuals may enter all five categories, but may submit only one manuscript in each category. One payment should be submitted for all entries. Entry fees are $10 for one entry, $18 for two entries, $24 for three entries, $30 for four entries and $35 for five entries. 

   Every entrant is invited to the awards ceremony and reception at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 11, in Central Library’s Aaronson Auditorium, Fifth Street and Denver Avenue. 

   Entries should be delivered to any TCCL branch or mailed flat to Friends of Tulsa City-County Libraries, 400 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK, 74103. Entry forms, with a complete set of rules and submission guidelines, are available at all TCCL locations or online at  www.tulsalibrary.org/adult-creative-writing-contest . For more information on the Adult Creative Writing Contest, call 918-549-7323.

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Using the Library

Creative Writing Workshop for Adults

Thursday, march 03 5:00pm - 7:00pm, schusterman-benson library.

Are you ready for the annual Adult Creative Writing Contest? Join us for a brainstorming session led by a local freelance writer!

Get your creative juices flowing and connect with other aspiring writers in our community. We'll cover story structures and building outlines, respond to fun writing prompts, and you'll leave with a finished story vignette. Deadline for entering the Adult Creative Writing Contest is March 31. Cash prizes are awarded.

NOTICE: In-person events may be canceled or moved to virtual due to COVID risk levels for service area.

TAGS: | Creative Writing |

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• Meeting Room(s)
• AWE Early Literacy Computer
• Skateboard stand

Upcoming events

   Central Library    400 Civic Center    Tulsa, OK 74103    918-549-7323

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Tulsa City-County Library holds Young People's Creative Writing Contest

by Jennifer Maupin, KTUL staff

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Kids aged 10-18 have the chance to enter the Tulsa City-County Library 's Young People's Creative Writing Contest in February.

Young people can choose between writing a short story, informal essay, poetry, short play, or comix for the competition.

Submission will be accepted for the entire month of February.

The three age divisions are 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18.

In each category and age group, a first, second and third place winner will be selected. First place will earn $100, second $50 and $25 for third.

Participants can only give one submission per category but are welcome to enter as many categories as they wish.

The library will hold an awards ceremony on May 5 at 6 p.m.

To learn more about the rules and how to enter, click here .