Wordsmith’s Guild Writing Contest

Any student in 1st – 4th grade is encouraged to participate by submitting an original story for judging. There is a $20 participation fee for each participant. Upon payment and completion of this form, the participant will receive a Writer’s Kit which will include a notebook, pencil and a hard cover blank book.

Stories can be written in any one of the following categories: 

∙ Non-fiction story (including family-based, travel diary, spiritual-themed, biography, autobiography, and sport-centered stories) 

∙ Fiction story (including science fiction, mystery, animal-inspired, fairy tale, Christian-themed, sport-centered, fantasy, and adventure) 

Contest Rules 

∙ Must use the blank book provided.  

∙ Only one student may work on a single book. 

∙ The book must be a minimum of eight (8) written pages.

∙ A title page showing the year and the student’s name, grade and teacher’s name is  required, but it will not count towards the minimum eight (8) pages. 

∙ The book must be illustrated, but it will not count towards the minimum eight (8) pages.

∙ Illustrations must be original works, including drawings in any medium, or photographs taken by the student. Magazine pictures, stickers, or computer-generated images are not to be used. 

∙ It must have a creative, colorful cover. 

Optional 

∙ A page about the author can be included. 

∙ A dedication page can be included.

Helpful Tips

Students will receive a Writer’s Notebook for use during the writing process. ∙ The Writer’s Notebook is for the rough draft.

Additionally, a hardcover Blank Book will be provided for the final product. A second hardcover blank book WILL NOT be provided. If the student loses their blank book, the story must be submitted in the Writer’s Notebook.

Parents may help with spelling, punctuation, and other mechanics, but the theme and  text must be the student’s work.

This project is optional and must be completed at home.

Deadlines 

∙ The $20 participation fee must be paid to the Business Office by 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 28

∙ All completed books must be submitted to Mrs. Robertson in the Scarbrough Library no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 21st. 

LATE BOOKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON.

Workshops (Optional) 

Three optional workshops will be offered for the participants who would like to attend. Student cooperation and willingness to follow the rules during the workshops is mandatory. A snack will be provided. 

Students must bring their Writer’s Notebook to the Workshops in order to participate.

 2023 Wordsmith Guild Timeline

Monday, March 6  Open Registration  

Thursday, March 30 Workshop #1 – What is the Writing Process? – 3:30-4:15 p.m., Scarbrough Library (Lower School library)

Tuesday, March 24 Deadline for Registration – 8 a.m., Business Office  

Thursday, April 6 Workshop #2 – What are Illustrations, Scarbrough Library

Thursday, April 13 Workshop #3 –  Writing Time! – 3:30-4:15 p.m., Scarbrough Library

Friday, April 21 BOOKS DUE BY 8 A.M. in the Scarbrough Library

April 21-May 1 Books Judged 

Tuesday, May 9 Awards Assembly – 10:10-10:40 a.m. – Partain

Authors-Only Party – with Guest Author Dr. Leonette Brooks-Lewis 3:30-4:15 p.m., Scarbrough Library

Additional Information 

∙ Each student who submits a book by the due date will be recognized and receive a certificate of participation on Tuesday, May 9.

∙ Here is a list of awards that will be presented:

Overall Story

Superior Cover

Superior Illustrations

 Superior Story

Rubric

These are some of the items that will be evaluated with each story submitted: 

Punctuation, spelling, neatness, overall creativity, narrative construction, illustrations, cover, title page, character development