June: “Fantasy Fiction” Contest

Contest Theme: “Fantasy Fiction Short Story”

Contest Prompt:

Write a short fiction story in the fantasy genre.

Description:

It’s no question what teens love to read: fantasy. Many students have submitted short stories in this genre that it seemed time to create a bigger contest to encourage students to perfect their fantasy craft.

For this contest, create a fantasy short story about anything. The story must be under 10 pages (single-spaced).

How do you create a “fantasy” story? You tap into your imagination like no other assignment has allowed you to do.

Here is a useful definition to help guide you: The fantasy genre is a type of fiction that features magical and supernatural elements, often including imaginary worlds, creatures, and beings with extraordinary powers, where stories are set in settings that could not exist in reality, typically involving magic, mythical creatures like dragons and elves, and quests undertaken by characters with unique abilities; essentially, it's a genre focused on imaginative and non-realistic elements.

So, what worlds will you create? The winners will craft mesmerizing settings, in-depth characters, thought-provoking dialogue, and compelling conflicts.

One important rule about the theme of your story: Your short story must have some sort of message/idea that you want to get across to your reader about HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS (even if there are no “humans” in your story, the story should be a METAPHOR for human relationships, of course).

Guidelines:

  • Short story must be under 10 pages SINGLE-SPACED

  • Story must be in the fantasy genre

  • This must be a new story that has not been published on the Teen Journal website

  • First Division (6-8th grade): 1st place = $100, 2nd place = $25

  • Second Division (9-12th grade): 1st place = $100, 2nd place = $25

  • Due June 30th, 2025 at 11:59pm

  • No late submissions accepted

Submit:

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July: “How To” Contest