Write like a legend. Win like a writer.

Legacy Writing Contests, a global creative platform where students step into the literary shoes of iconic authors [legacycontests.com]. If you’re new here, welcome! In this post, we’ll introduce you to Legacy’s unique writing contests – what they are, how they work, and why they’re an amazing opportunity for young writers. Whether you’re a budding poet, an aspiring novelist, or simply a student who loves to write, Legacy Writing Contests offers a fun, inspiring way to grow your craft and gain recognition for your creativity.

How the Contests Work

Themed, Author-Based Challenges: Each Legacy contest is inspired by a legendary writer. From Ernest Hemingway’s crisp storytelling to Maya Angelou’s poetic voice, every contest centers on emulating the tone or style of a great author. For example, our Ray Bradbury Nostalgia Contest challenges students to blend heartfelt memories with a sci-fi twist, while the Roald Dahl “Mischief & Magic” Junior Contest invites younger writers to craft witty, magical tales. With contests spanning genres like dystopian fiction, lyrical poetry, satire, horror, and more, there’s something for every imagination legacycontests.com.

Who Can Enter? 

Legacy Writing Contests are open to high school and college students (ages 13+) worldwide [legacycontests.com]. We welcome first-time writers and seasoned storytellers alike – all you need is a passion for writing and an original idea.

(For our youngest wordsmiths, the Junior Contests provide prompts inspired by beloved children’s authors like Dahl and Shel Silverstein, offering a perfect entry point into creative writing.)

Quarterly Contest Cycles: 

We run four contest cycles a year, so opportunities to participate are year-round.

Deadlines come at the end of each quarter:

• Spring: March 31

• Summer: June 30

• Fall: September 30

• Winter: December 31

You can enter one contest per cycle – or even multiple contests in the same cycle – as long as you submit each entry by the deadline. New themes and prompts are introduced regularly, so keep an eye on the contest lineup for updates each season.

Submission Process: Submitting your work is simple and completely online. First, choose the contest that inspires you and review its prompt and guidelines (each contest page outlines the genre, theme, and word count). Most contests have a word limit of around 1,000 words or less, keeping entries short and focused.W hen you’re ready, paste your piece into our official submission form (you can also upload a document) and fill in your details. Be sure to read our Submission Guidelines for the full rules – for example, entries must be in English, be your own original work, and submitted via the official form (no email submissions) [legacycontests.com].

Once you hit “Submit,” you’re in the running!

What Makes Legacy Contests Unique

• Creative > Academic: Forget dry research papers – Legacy contests are all about original creative writing. You get to tell your own story in a defined style, without the pressure of formal academic formats legacycontests.com. This means you can experiment and have fun while writing, rather than worrying about footnotes or grades.

  
  

• Short & Sweet: We believe brilliance can happen on one page. Entries are kept concise (often under 1,000 words), so you can typically complete a piece in just a few focused hours. The challenge is in making every word count – a great exercise in precision and editing. (Don’t worry, you’ll have time to revise and refine your work before submitting!)

  
  

• Literary Inspiration: Each contest lets you learn by writing in the style of a master. You might channel the whimsical imagination of Shel Silverstein or the suspense of Edgar Allan Poe. This literary legacy format is a fun way to try new genres and techniqueslegacycontests.com. It’s like a creative writing class where each assignment is guided by a different famous author’s approach.

  
  

• Global Community: Legacy Writing Contests is a global platform, so you’ll be joining students from all over the world in these challenges at legacycontests.com. It’s inspiring to know your writing will sit alongside international peers – and that a panel of expert judges around the world will be reading your words.

Judging & Awards

Fair & Expert Judging: All submissions received by the deadline are reviewed by an international panel of educators, writers, and judgeslegacycontests.com. To keep things fair, judging is blind – the panelists do not see any personal information about the authors, only the writing itselflegacycontests.com. Each piece is evaluated on a clear set of criteria, including voice and style, originality, technique, depth, and overall impactlegacycontests.com. In other words, the judges are looking for writing that is authentic, creative, well-crafted, and emotionally or intellectually engaging.

Awards & Recognition: 

After the judging, the top entries earn official recognition. Legacy awards are given in tiers: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honorable Mention in each contest (with occasional Special Commendations for pieces that stand out in unique ways These awards are a great accolade to list on college applications or resumes – they show that you’ve been distinguished with an international writing honor. Winners also receive digital certificates by email, and many winning pieces get published in our Legacy Anthology, a digital quarterly showcasing student work. We love celebrating our winners on the Legacy website and in our newsletters, so it’s a wonderful chance to get your writing showcased to a wider audience.

Ready to Get Started?

We hope this gives you a warm welcome and clear overview of what Legacy Writing Contests is all about. If you’re a student with a passion for literature, writing, or creative expression, we encourage you to jump in and give it a try. Explore our current contests to find a theme that excites you, and when inspiration strikes, submit your work through our online form. Teachers and parents, feel free to share these contests with young writers – it’s a fantastic way to spark creativity in the classroom or at home.

Join the Legacy community and let your story shine. Every great writer starts somewhere, and perhaps your journey will start with a one-page masterpiece in a Legacy contest. We can’t wait to read what you write – so step into the shoes of a legend, unleash your imagination, and start your Legacy now! [legacycontests.com]