Write-On
Write-On is a series of writing events for kids and teens. There are two levels of competition: Grades 4–6 and Grades 7–12.
As part of Write-On, we host a writing competition, an author event, and writing workshops. Write-On is generously sponsored by the Gift of Carl Foundation.
Writing Competition
There are two levels of competition: Grades 4–6 and Grades 7–12. Cash prizes for first, second, and third respectively.
Submission Guidelines
∙ Entries are accepted from Friday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m.–Friday, Nov 12, 9 a.m.
∙ Original short stories must be 2,000-6,000 words. Poetry and song lyrics may be any length. All words must be your own.
∙ Entrants may enter up to three submissions in each category.
∙ Entries must be typed, double spaced, and in a 12 point font.
∙ Spelling, grammar, and punctuation count.
∙ Submit online entries as a Word (.docx) file.
Writing Events
For Grades 4–6
Write On: Fiction Workshop with Amy Ostrowski
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 6:30–8 p.m.
Whether hero, villain or a sidekick in the wings, every character needs their own personality, their own past, their own favorite ice cream flavor and least favorite pizza topping. Oh, and let's not forget the most important component—their own problem that needs solving! In this workshop, we'll practice developing and writing our characters so they climb off the page and into our readers’ hearts and minds. No character ideas? No problem! We've got you covered. Please bring your favorite pen/pencil and a notebook or loose-leaf paper. There will be extras available if needed.
Write On: Poetry Workshop with Donna Vorreyer
Thursday, Nov. 11, 6:30–8 p.m.
Although all writers have access to the same words when drafting, the best writers use the emotions, sounds, and images that are most unique to their own experience to make their poems come alive. Join us as we practice writing a poem that ONLY YOU could write!
For Grades 7–12
Teen Fiction Workshop with Amy Ostowski
Thursday, Nov. 4, 6:30–8 p.m.
In this workshop, we’ll practice strategies for showing emotion without falling into patterns or repeats. Using dialogue, thoughts, small actions, and setting, we’ll send our characters through a spectrum of emotions.
Teen Poetry Writing Workshop with Donna Vorreyer
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6:30–8 p.m.
In this workshop, we'll look at examples of contemporary poems of identity by Eve Ewing, Chen Chen, and Jose Olivarez and use them as inspiration for our own poems that explore who we are on the inside and the outside.
About the Workshop Leaders
About Donna Vorreyer
Donna Vorreyer is the author of three poetry collections, To Everything There Is (2020), Every Love Story is an Apocalypse Story (2016), and A House of Many Windows (2013), all from Sundress Publications. Her poetry and essay work have appeared widely in literary journals and have been nominated for Pushcart and Best of the Net prizes. A Timberlake resident and Indian Prairie Library patron, she currently serves as an associate editor for Rhino Poetry after retiring from 35 years as a middle school educator.
About Amy Ostrowski
Amy grew up in the suburbs of Chicago in a tiny house overflowing with animals and kids. To escape the chaos, she’d often escape to her room and dream up stories. She still dreams up stories, but now she writes them down, usually in the wee hours of the morning before heading off to her job as a middle school language arts teacher. Amy writes in middle grade, young adult, and select nonfiction.
Author Visit
An Evening with Jasmine Warga
Monday, Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Meet Jasmine Warga, author of the 2022 Rebecca Caudill book award nominee Other Words for Home. Write-On contest winners are announced.
About Jasmine Warga
Jasmine Warga
Jasmine Warga is the author of the New York Times bestseller Other Words for Home. Other Words For Home earned multiple awards, including a John Newbery Honor, a Walter Honor for Young Readers, and a Charlotte Huck Honor. She is also the author of young adult books, My Heart and Other Black Holes and Here We Are Now, which have been translated into over twenty different languages. The Shape of Thunder, her most recent book for middle-grade readers, is a Junior Library Guild selection and Indie Next List Summer 2021 pick. Her next novel, A Rover Named Resilience, will be out in fall 2022. Jasmine currently teaches in the MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from Cincinnati, she now lives in the Chicago-area with her family.
Photo credit: jasminewarga.com/about
About the Gift of Carl
Write-On is generously sponsored by the Gift of Carl Foundation, which is named in memory of Carl Vuillaume. Carl was a lover of reading, writing, music, and the outdoors, living by the motto “carpe diem.” Tragically, Carl drowned while vacationing with his family in 2005 at the age of 16. His family received donations and wanted to do something positive with the money—the Gift of Carl Foundation was born. His family approached the library about doing something that would have a lasting impact and honor Carl’s love for the arts and outdoors.
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