CollingWord - Short Story Contest

Teen Voices
The CollingWord 2026 Short Story Writing Contest

Youth Contest Rules

Contest Deadline:

The submission window for the CollingWord 2026 Teen Voices Short Story Contest will open at 9:00 a.m. EDT on 21 September 2026 and close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on 16 October 2026.

About the Contest:

CollingWord 2026 is seeking new and emerging voices through a short story writing contest open to youth in two age groups: 13-15 and 16-18.

We are seeking original, unpublished work that reflects the teen experience. Stories may belong to any genre, including but not limited to: literary, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery, and horror.

What constitutes a great story? Glad you asked! It's written from the heart and has a message for the reader about something that matters. It contains engaging teenaged characters, a compelling plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and a thoughtful writing style.

Please note that due to our scoring process, we can only accept stand-alone pieces, not excerpts from longer works in progress.

Prizes:

There will be up to 5 finalists (the shortlist) in each age group. Winning authors (one per age group) will receive a prize of $100. First runners-up (one per age group) will receive a prize of $50. The 1^st and 2^nd placing stories in each age group will be published as a chapbook, on or accessible via our website and social media, and may also appear in the local print media. Each winner and first runner-up will also have the opportunity to read an excerpt from their story aloud at CollingWord on Saturday, November 7^th, 2026 at the Collingwood Public Library. Honourable mention certificates will be awarded to the remaining finalists in each age group, and the authors’ names will be announced on our website, via email, and on social media.

Contest Rules:

This contest is open to residents of the Simcoe County-South Georgian Bay area, Ontario, Canada. No entry fee is required, and all rights in each submitted story remain the property of the author.
By submitting a story to the contest, the entrant agrees to abide by all the contest rules.
To enter, authors must be between the ages of 13 and 18 during the submission window.
Short stories are to be between 800 and 2500 words in length and reflect the teenaged point of view.
Only stories that have NOT been previously published or submitted for publication elsewhere may be entered in the contest. Stories that have been self-published online or on personal websites or other publishing platforms, including blogs and school publications, will also be disqualified.
By submitting your work, you are acknowledging that it is your own creation, that it has not been borrowed from any person’s work (including but not limited to film, video, gaming, and online content), that it has not been created with any assistance from generative AI tools or software, and that the characters and situations depicted are the products of your own imagination.
Each entrant may submit only one manuscript. Should a second entry be received, both will be disqualified.
CollingWord reserves the right to approve all final, edited content. Stories found at any point during the judging to have been written in part or in whole by AI will be disqualified. Excessive or gratuitous use of violence, profanity, drug references, or sexual content, to be determined by the judges, will result in disqualification. The use of profanity as a character’s name will also not be acceptable
All submitted entries are final. No revisions will be accepted.
Each entry will be judged by at least two qualified individuals. The top-scoring entries in each age group (the shortlist) will be reviewed and ranked by professional authors to determine the winner and the first runner-up. The decisions of the judges are entirely their own and are final and binding.
Shortlisted authors will be individually notified by phone or e-mail by Saturday, October 31^st. Rankings will be announced and the prizes awarded at CollingWord 2026 and subsequently published.
Each entry must be accompanied by a completed and signed consent form giving CollingWord permission to publish on our website and social media platforms the name and image of the entrant along with their short story, should it be a finalist in the competition. If the entrant is a minor, the form must also be signed by a custodial parent or guardian.
All the winning authors must provide proof of age and address before prizes will be awarded.

How to Submit:

Handwritten entries will not be accepted.
CollingWord accepts files ONLY in DOC, or DOCX, format, submitted electronically here.
Typed submissions may be hand-delivered to the main desk of Collingwood Public Library, 55 Ste. Marie Street, Collingwood, ON, L9Y 0W6. Hard copy submissions must be contained in sealed envelopes addressed to the attention of CollingWord 2026 with the following clearly marked on the envelope: ATTN: COLLINGWORD TEEN SHORT STORY CONTEST 2026.
All entries are to be formatted as follows: double line-spaced on one side only of letter-sized white paper, using Times New Roman, Courier, or a comparable font, no smaller than 12 point, and with a standard 2.54 cm margin all around. The story title and page number must appear as a header on each page of the manuscript, but NOT the author’s name. This is to ensure that each entry is judged impartially, on its own merits.
Electronic submissions shall consist of two attachments:
- Attachment one shall be a file holding the following:
  - A completed and signed consent form,
  - A cover page, containing ONLY the story title, author’s name and age group (13-15 or 16-18),
  - The author’s complete contact information;
- Attachment two shall be a file holding the following:
  - The manuscript of the story, formatted as per the instructions above.
Hard copy submissions shall also include the consent form and cover page, stapled together, then clipped to the manuscript.
PLEASE NOTE: If the entrant is a minor, their complete contact information on the cover page must include the custodial parent/guardian’s email as well.
Submissions that do not conform to these formatting requirements will be rejected and disposed of.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

COLLINGWORD 2025 YOUTH WRITING CONTEST
SCORING RUBRIC

ENTRY TITLE:

ENTRY NUMBER:

EXCELLENT (4)	STRONG (3)	FAIR (2)	DEVELOPING (1)
IDEAS AND VOICE: The extent to which the story and writing reflect both the author’s personal voice and the teen experience.
Approach to the topic is fresh and original. Ideas are supported by specific relevant details about teen life.	Ideas are clearly expressed and supported by specific relevant details about teen life.	Ideas are somewhat clear and marginally supported by details about teen life.	Ideas are unfocused or undeveloped and not supported by details about teen life.
Writing consistently reveals author’s personality and point of view.	Writing shows flashes of author’s personality and point of view.	Writing gives hints as to author’s personality and point of view.	Writing is flat, revealing nothing of the author’s personality or point of view.

TOTAL THIS SECTION (2-8 points):

EXCELLENT (4)	STRONG (3)	FAIR (2)	DEVELOPING (1)
STORY STRUCTURE: The extent to which dramatic conflict, the ordering of scenes, the sequence of events, and the transitions between them all build from an opening hook to a logical and satisfying conclusion.
Opening hooks the reader immediately and presents or establishes at least three of the following: a character, the setting, the conflict, the mood.	Opening grabs the reader’s attention and presents or establishes at least two of the following: a character, the setting, the conflict, the mood.	Opening is present but not compelling. An attempt has been made to present or establish at least one of: character, setting, conflict, mood.	Opening is present but confusing for the reader or unrelated to the rest of the story.
Clear, purposeful use of both internal and external conflict to build suspense.	Clear, purposeful use of conflict to build suspense.	Use of conflict is inconsistent and therefore not as effective as it could be.	Minimal or no conflict means no suspense.
A clear, purposeful sequence of scenes that unfold naturally, in a cause-and-effect chain of events. No lapses in plot logic.	A clear sequence of scenes that unfold logically, linked by cause and effect. No major lapses in plot logic.	Attempts have been made to sequence events/scenes logically, but the plot is hard to follow in some places.	Unclear or illogical sequence of events/scenes. Multiple plot holes, some major.
Plot situations reach logical and emotionally satisfying conclusions.	All the loose ends are tied up at the conclusion, with mixed effectiveness.	Most of the loose ends are tied up.	The story doesn’t conclude — it just stops.

TOTAL THIS SECTION (4-16 points):

EXCELLENT (4)	STRONG (3)	FAIR (2)	DEVELOPING (1)
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT & DIALOGUE: The extent to which the characters “come to life on the page” by being psychologically complex, robustly described, and emotionally authentic.
Develops complex characters through dialogue / inner voice, narration, and action.	Develops characters through dialogue / inner voice, narration, and action.	Some attempt at character development through dialogue/inner voice, narration, or action.	Characters are psychologically flat and emotionally inauthentic.
Actions and interactions are consistently “in character” and emotionally motivated.	Actions and interactions are consistently “in character” and motivations are clear.	Actions and interactions are generally “in character” but motivations are unclear or lacking.	Actions and interactions are frequently out of character and illogical.
Dialogue or inner voice is effectively used to reveal underlying facets of the characters involved.	Dialogue or inner voice reflects various facets of the characters involved.	Dialogue or inner voice attempts with some success to reveal a facet of the character speaking.	Dialogue or inner voice is minimally used and reveals nothing new about the characters involved.

TOTAL THIS SECTION (3-12 points):

EXCELLENT (4)	STRONG (3)	FAIR (2)	DEVELOPING (1)
LANGUAGE: The extent to which the author demonstrates an awareness of audience and purpose through effective use of descriptive details, accurate and evocative word choice, and creative use of literary devices.
Uses creative, concrete language and makes thoughtful word choices. In particular: precise nouns, vividly descriptive adjectives, and powerful action verbs.	Uses mostly creative, concrete language and makes effective word choices. In particular: precise nouns and powerful action verbs.	Language used is accurate but not powerful. Most word choices are correct, although many could be more effective.	Limited vocabulary is used, leading to sameness of language and few effective word choices.
Makes powerful use of literary devices such as simile, metaphor, and rich sensory detail.	Makes apt and effective use of literary devices such as simile, metaphor, and rich sensory detail.	Literary devices are functional but not descriptive. Attempts to include sensory detail result in mixed success.	Literary devices and sensory detail are lacking or poorly executed.