Young Authors Showcase Story Writing Contest Open to Langdon and Chestermere Students

Students in Grades 1 to 12 who attend school in Langdon or Chestermere are invited to take part in the Langdon Library’s Young Authors Showcase Story Writing Contest.

Contest dates: March 1 to 31, 2026
Winners announced: By the end of April

This contest is all about celebrating creativity, clear expression, and strong storytelling. Whether your young writer loves fantasy, mystery, humour, or realistic fiction, this is their moment.

What judges are looking for

Entries are scored from 1 to 4 in these areas:

• Creativity – Is the story imaginative and original?

• Structure – Does it have a clear beginning, middle, and end?

• Characters and Setting – Are they interesting and easy to picture?

• Writing Quality – Spelling, grammar, and clear sentences matter.

• Overall Impact – Does the story leave a strong impression?

A few important guidelines

• Stories must be completely original. No copying from books, movies, websites, or AI tools.

• Content must be school-appropriate and respectful.

• Word counts vary by grade:

  • Grades 1 to 2: 150 to 400 words

  • Grades 3 to 5: 300 to 800 words

  • Grades 6 to 8: 600 to 1,200 words

  • Grades 9 to 12: 800 to 1,800 words

• Students in Grades 9 to 12 may only use AI for proofreading and must disclose it. No AI-generated writing allowed.

Writers are encouraged to revise, read their work out loud, and get general feedback from a teacher or adult before submitting. But the final words must be their own.

If you’ve got a kid who’s always scribbling stories in notebooks or typing away on Google Docs instead of cleaning their room, this might be their time to shine.

For full contest details, entry forms, and the complete judging rubric, head to the Langdon Library website.