Niles District Library Annual Writing Contest

Niles District Library Annual Writing Contest

Celebrate creativity and the power of words with our Annual NDL Writing Contest! Writers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit original work for a chance to gain recognition and win prizes. Whether you enjoy writing short stories or poetry, this is your opportunity to express yourself through your work.

Writing categories: Please check one box.  

Youth (author’s age 8 – 12)

• uncheckedStory (up to 5,000 words)

Teen (author’s age 13 – 17)

• uncheckedStory (up to 5,000 words)
• uncheckedMini Lit (short stories and essays – less than 1,000 words )
• uncheckedPoetry (less than 1,000 words)

Adult (author’s age 18+)

• uncheckedStory (up to 5,000 words)
• uncheckedMini Lit (short stories and essays – less than 1,000 words )
• uncheckedPoetry (less than 1,000 words)

Writing Contest – Rules & Submission Information

Entry Period: July 1–31, 2026

• One entry per participant. All rights to the story remain the property of the author.
• Entries must be the original work of the participant. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.
• Works created with AI tools or containing AI-generated content are not considered original and will not be accepted.
• A completed Submission Cover Sheet must accompany each entry.
• The story title must appear at the top of each page, and all pages must be numbered.
• The author’s name must not appear anywhere on the manuscript.

Submission Options:

• Deliver it in person to the Youth Services Desk at the Niles District Library during regular library hours.
• Submit online at www.nileslibrary.com/writing-contest

Winners Announcement:
Winners will be announced Monday, August 17, 2026, on the library website and social media channels.