National Writing Contest: Celebrating Black Writers

National Writing Contest – Celebrating Black Writers: Voices Calling for Activism and Social Justice

The Center for Black Literature (CBL) at Medgar Evers College, in partnership with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, invites high school and college students of all ages to participate in a writing contest titled Celebrating Black Writers: Voices Calling for Activism and Social Justice. Submissions in the genres of fiction, prose, and essay are welcome.

The writing contest celebrates the Center for Black Literature’s 20th Anniversary Jubilee: Honoring Our Legacy and Celebrating the Black Literary Arts and the National Council of Teachers of English’s annual National Day on Writing®.

Our nation is facing many challenges: voter suppression, racism, social injustice and inequality, and a public health pandemic. Black writers in this country have a long history of overcoming obstacles and engaging in the struggle for the freedom to live as citizens whose civil and human rights are respected and honored. Through their liberation narratives, poetry, fiction, and essays, Black writers have documented their experiences and called for change. The texts of Black poets, novelists, playwrights, screenwriters, historians, activists, and civil rights leaders have always sustained us through challenging times.

All students currently enrolled in secondary/high school or college, including community college, are encouraged to participate by writing and submitting their own essays, prose, or fiction. Writings should represent various themes raised by Black writers—poets, novelists, literary activists, public intellectuals, civil rights leaders, and historians—who have advocated for social justice.

Award Details

All submissions will be reviewed by an invited panel of expert judges.

Submission Dates

Open: Monday, February 28, 2022
Close: Monday, May 23, 2022

Submission Guidelines

Submissions of students’ original writings must be between 750 and 4,000 words long.
Submissions must be entered into the webform text box, retaining spacing from the original document.
In a separate field, include a one- or two-sentence bio about the student author.
Submit to one category (fiction, prose, or essay), as only one submission per person is allowed.
Submissions can include an excerpt from a student’s larger work but cannot exceed the total stated word limit for this contest.
Previously published works are not acceptable.
All entries must be submitted online by no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on May 23,2022.

Awards

High school students (includes juniors and seniors): first place $3,000; second place $1,500
College students (includes community, comprehensive, and senior colleges): first place $4,000; second place $2,000

Application Deadline Monday, May 23, 2022

Please contact NCTEAwards@ncte.org with any questions.

SUBMISSION FORM:

2022 National Writing Contest Celebrating Black Writers

Celebrating Black Writers: Voices Calling for Activism and Social Justice

Author/Student Submitter Name*
Author/Student Age*
Author/Student Grade Level*
School Name*
City and State*
Teacher/Parent Submitter Name (if submitted on behalf of a student)
1-2 sentence bio about the author/student submitter*
Select the category:*
Title*
Submission (750-4,000 words)*
Email
Phone
Notice:
By uploading your writing submission and related personal information (together, your “Submission”), you understand and agree that National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and our partners such as the Center for Black Literature may review, use, disclose, display, and publish all or part your Submission for review as part of the writing competition for purposes consistent with our nonprofit and tax-exempt purposes. If you are a student under 13, your teacher must make this submission and consent on behalf of your parent or guardian. Your Submission will be treated as “User Content” under our Privacy Policy and as “Feedback” under our Terms of Use.