Celebrate the Arts Writing Contest

Writers, channel your imagination and share your talents with this 15th annual contest for all ages!

Enter your original work in any genre for a chance to showcase your creativity in the community newspaper, ThisWeek Westerville News & Public Opinion. All entries will be published in a professionally bound compilation book. Winners will be honored on Sunday, April 18.

Be creative and have fun! Submissions accepted from now through March 1, 2021 at 9pm. Winners will be contacted the first week of April.

About the Contest

Sponsored by the Friends of the Westerville Public Library and ThisWeek Westerville News & Public Opinion. In partnership with The Arts Council of Westerville and Westerville Public Library, this contest is one of many events organized by the Arts Council to mark April as "Celebrate the Arts" month in Westerville.

Guidelines for 2021

• An entry may be in any genre (short story, poem, etc.) and on any topic. No artwork. Every entry must have a title.
• Electronically submitted entries are preferred and need to be in a Microsoft Word or Google Docs, 8 1/2" x 11" portrait and and 11 point type size.
• No more than 800 words may be submitted by an author. If more than one entry is submitted, total words may not exceed 800 (title not included in word limit).
• No out-of-state submissions will be accepted.
• Entries containing wording or themes inappropriate for presentation to all ages will not be accepted.
• Persons affiliated with sponsoring organizations may submit work for publication, but are not eligible for judging. Writers must identify themselves as being affiliated with a sponsoring organization. ((i.e., Arts Council, Library, Newspaper, Friends of the Library).
• Submissions will not be returned.
• Email submissions to artscouncilwesterville@gmail.com. Or mail to the Westerville Public Library, ATTN: Writing Contest, 126 S. State St, Westerville, OH 43081. (Postmarked by March 1, 2021.)
• Entry deadline is March 1, 2021 at 9pm.

Entries must be submitted according to the author's grade/age level:

• Students, Grades K-2
• Students, Grades 3-5
• Students, Grades 6-8
• Students, Grades 9-12
• Adults, Ages 18+

Entries must include the following information about the author. Teachers, student contact information must be included to be considered.

• Author's name
• Address
• Email
• Phone
• Grade/Age Level

Winners & Published Works

• Winners will be contacted the first week in April. 
• Winners will receive their prizes and be invited to read from their work at a Writer Awards event that will be held on Sunday, April 18. 
• 1st place finishers for each level will be published in the local community newspaper, the ThisWeek Westerville News & Public Opinion (print version). The 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and honorable mention entries will be published online. Note: Entries are subject to being excerpted due to length.
• All contest entries will be published in a professionally bound book available for purchase. Winners will receive a complimentary copy. The Arts Council reserves the right to exclude an entry from the book.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact Thomas S.