We at Storyworks are always looking for new writers. And we think one of those new writers might be YOU. Enter our NEW Kid Fiction Writing Contest and you could win a prize and have your fiction story published at Storyworks Digital.

Step 1: Choose one of the first lines below to start your story:

 

1. Nobody knew how the dog got into the school.

 

2. It was a sunny Sunday in September when we discovered that our grandma was not who she said she was.

 

3. It’s never easy being the new kid.

Step 2: Write a short story starting with your chosen line.

For help and inspiration, check out the videos and Storyworks fiction stories below, ask your teacher for our Fiction Writing Tool Kit, and don’t forget to read the entry that won last year’s contest!

Step 3: Edit and revise.

Make sure your story is between 800 and 3,000 words.

Step 4: Submit your entry!

Fill out this entry form.

Have an adult send the story and completed entry form to us by March 1, 2023.

Email entries to:

[email protected]

Or mail entries to:

“Fiction Writing Contest” c/o Storyworks
P.O. Box 712 New York, NY 10013-0712

Grand Prize:

One grand prize winner will have their story published at Storyworks Digital and will receive a $50 gift card for the online Scholastic Store.

The winner's teacher will win a free two-year class subscription to Storyworks.

Finalists:

Two finalists will win a $20 gift card for the online Scholastic Store.

Runners-Up:

Ten runners-up will win a Storyworks prize.

Watch these videos to learn how to write the perfect fiction story.

How to Write a Story

Tips on writing fiction by author Jason Reynolds.
What Is a Plot?

Learn all about the building blocks of plot.
What Is a Character?

Learn all about what makes a great character.

Share our interactive Fiction Writing Tool Kit to guide your students through planning each element of their short fiction story from beginning to end (also available as a printable PDF).

Fiction Writing Tool Kit

Share this interactive slide deck with students to help them brainstorm and plan their fiction story.

Printable Tool Kit

Print out this PDF for students to help them brainstorm and plan their fiction story.
Focus On: Character Girl Can’t Dance Emma dreams of being famous. What will she give up to make her dream come true?
Focus On: Plot The Day the Worms Moved In Nothing terrifies Maddie more than worms. How will she deal with 1,500 of these creepy, slithery creatures in her garage?
Focus on: Setting My Rows and Piles of Coins Every week, Saruni counts the coins in his box, dreaming about the day he will buy his bicycle.
Focus On: Theme The Mystery of the Cactus Arm What could be whispering outside Oliver’s window? And what is it trying to tell him?
Focus On: Inference The Good Deed Heather just wants her Girl Scout badge. What she gets is an eye-opening lesson.
Focus On: Author's Craft Veronica's Pack A shy girl discovers how to build strength in numbers
Text-to-Speech