Text that says 'The Teen Journal' in black script font on a white background.

Transforming your teen’s creative ideas into impactful published writing.

Email
info@theteenjournal.com

Phone
+1 (847) 602-0367

Writing is hard. So, why do our teens love it?

A review card with a profile picture of a woman with glasses and long hair, five gold stars above, and a quote about a writing program highlighting the enjoyment, workshops, check-in meetings, and blog subscription features.
A testimonial card featuring a five-star rating, a photo of a young woman with long dark hair holding a phone, and a quote about her positive experience with a program that includes points, levels, virtual classes, and masterclasses.
Testimonial card with a smiling boy's photo, five gold stars, and a quote about teen writing programs by Jason Westphal.

Do you have a creative teen writer ready to build their own thriving blog publication?

The Teen Journal Journey is an entrepreneurial adventure game that gives teens a behind-the scenes toolkit for building their own personal blog publications, turning hesitant teens into confident, productive writers.

Through social engagement, monthly writing contests, and expert-led writing workshops, we support your teen’s growth as a writer and content creator.

Teens create their own thriving blog publications.

A blog webpage titled 'California Girl' with a pink background, a large photo of tall palm trees against a light blue sky in the center, and smaller images and text sections about travel and lifestyle on the sides.
A travel blog webpage titled 'glide across the globe' with images of a camera, maps, a notebook, and travel accessories on a world map background.
A webpage titled 'Dumb Hobbies & What to Do' featuring a large photo of various Rubik's Cubes, including a 3x3 and a 2x2, with blurry colorful background. The page has sections for creative activities, education articles, a profile picture of a girl, and comments.
A website titled Cozzy Crafts & Culture featuring craft supplies like scissors, yarn, and paper on a wooden table.
A weekly planner or journal open on a desk, with handwritten days of the week, decorative plant stickers, and small accessories like a black pen, a sticky note, and a lantern charm.
Photo of a soccer ball on a green field with white lines.
Close-up of watercolor paints in a palette, with vibrant colors neatly arranged.
Webpage titled 'Past, Present & Future' with space-themed images, including a nebula and a planet, and an introductory message from Jason about space, technology, and life.
A person with a backpack standing on a trail in a lush green forest, looking at snow-capped mountains in the distance.
A digital blog homepage featuring a header with stylized text 'Blippity, Boppity, Poof! Fantasy?'. Central image of blue butterflies on a forest floor. Sidebar with author's profile photo, short about me, and comment section. Main content includes short story titled 'Sweet, Sweet Revenge' with a dark underwater scene, advice on YA fantasy series, and other blog sections.
Two bubble teas, one light green and one brown, on a table with a person working on a laptop in the background.

For more independent writers

4 easy steps to get started:

Payment Plan #1
$50.00
Every month

In this plan, there is no access to rewards when teen reaches a new level (no private lessons or Teen Journal merch).

✓ Teens will create their own high quality blog publication
✓ Write 1 or more blog posts per month for a real audience
✓ Receive expert feedback on all writing
✓ Attend our LIVE writing workshop every week

For writers needing more guidance

Step 1: Click “START THE JOURNEY NOW” to register.

Step 2: Parent creates an account to complete payment.

Step 3: Parent receives email with instructions for teen to set up their own account.

Step 4: Teen receives a welcome email with instructions on how to access the Teen Member homepage, RSVP to our LIVE Get Started Session.

Payment Plan #2
$250.00
Every month

When teens reach a new level, they get 60-minute 1:1 private writing lessons and Teen Journal shirts, hoodies, tote bags, & more

✓ Teens will create their own high quality blog publication
✓ Write 1 or more blog posts per month for a real audience
✓ Receive expert feedback on all writing
✓ Attend our LIVE writing workshop every week
✓ Monthly 1:1 writing lessons and Teen Journal merchandise

The Monthly Teen Journal Journey

Where teens discover their passion for writing.

Step 1

Submit Raw Writing Content

Through our step-by-step guided levels & monthly blog contests, teens submit TWO original pieces of writing content within their creative niche per month:

  • Blog post or article
  • Podcast Script
  • Creative fiction: short story, poem, song, book chapter
  • Interview transcription
  • Video script
Step 2

Join LIVE Weekly Writing Workshops

All teen creators join our weekly Zoom blogging & writing workshops where teens get 30-seconds to pitch their new blog content ideas & receive suggestions from their mentors & peers. Writing activities included in every workshop. Together we’ll:

  • Share constructive feedback
  • Stay accountable
  • Promote & build hype for your work
  • Get inspired by other teen writers
Step 3

Revise with Expert Feedback

Editors provide personalized feedback on teens’ writing to help them improve their ideas and style. Here’s what we edit for:

  • Clarity
  • Originality
  • Niche fit
  • Polish
  • Impact
Step 4

Content is Published!

Congratulations! Teens’ work is now live! All of their new blog posts will be directly emailed to their subscribers to keep them engaged. Here’s what they can do next to build your audience:

  • Commit to a regular posting schedule
  • Comment on other teen’s posts
  • Edit/improve post if needed
  • Turn blog into YouTube or Spotify content
Step 5

Update Blog Aesthetics & Design Anytime

Teens’ own personal blogs are always customizable to fit their unique growth as a blog content creator. Here are things they can change:

  • Blog Title
  • Images/Pictures/Illustrations
  • Colors/Fonts
  • Layout
Step 6

Compete in Monthly Writing Contests

Every month is a new chance to compete in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for best blog post of the month. Here are examples of our contest genres:

  • Opinion/Editorial
  • Fantasy Fiction
  • How to
  • Interview/Q&A
  • Personal Narrative

Submit blog post draft on any topic in your niche

+ 400 points

Blog post gets published after revision

+ 600 points

Get a new subscriber on your blog

+ 100 points

Subscribe to a blog

+ 100 points

Comment on a blog post or blog

+ 100 points

Get a comment on your blog post or blog

+ 100 points

Attend a weekly LIVE blogging workshop

+ 100 points

Bring a friend to our LIVE blogging workshop

+ 500 points

Win 1st place in writing contest

+ 2,000 points

Win 2nd place in writing contest

+ 1,000 points

Win 3rd place in writing contest

+ 500 points

Get a friend to join the Teen Journal

+ 1,000 points
* Comments must follow our community guidelines.

Notebook Newbie

0–3,999 points
Reward Unlocked:
Teen Journal t-shirt
+
1:1 private blogging/writing coaching session

Content Creator

4,000–7,999 points
Reward Unlocked:
Teen Journal tote bag
+
1:1 private blogging/writing coaching session

Burgeoning Blogger

8,000–12,999 points
Reward Unlocked:
Teen Journal hoodie
+
1:1 private blogging/writing coaching session

Wonder Writer

13,000–17,999 points
Reward Unlocked:
Teen Journal water bottle
+
1:1 private blogging/writing coaching session

Spirited Storyteller

18,000–22,999 points
Reward Unlocked:
Teen Journal baseball hat or beanie
+
1:1 private blogging/writing coaching session

Media Master

23,000–29,999 points
Reward Unlocked:
Teen Journal yoga mat
+
1:1 private blogging/writing coaching session

Voice of the Generation

30,000 points
YOU BEAT THE GAME! Keep your points/levels as they are or go back to zero to win the prizes all over again!
Reward Unlocked:
Teen Journal backpack
+
1:1 private blogging/writing coaching session