Ink & Imagination Writing Contest

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Ink & Imagination Writing Contest *

Every great story begins with a spark. Each year, participants will be given three required elements and challenged to create an original story that weaves those elements together in a unique and meaningful way. Whether your story is a mystery, fantasy, science fiction adventure, romance, thriller, or something entirely your own, this competition is an opportunity to let your creativity shine.

There is no single "right" answer. We are looking for stories that surprise us, move us, make us think, and showcase the incredible talent of young writers.

The winning submission will receive a $250 cash prize and be featured by The Resilience Foundation as a celebration of student creativity and achievement.

So take the challenge. Start with three simple elements and create something unforgettable.

Your story is waiting to be told..

Read Official Rules here

How It Works

Register for free, and when the contest begins you'll receive five character options, five setting options, and one required story element. Choose one character and one setting, incorporate the required story element into your story, and submit an original work of fiction within 14 days. Stories may be written in any genre and will be judged anonymously based on creativity, originality, storytelling, writing quality, and how effectively the required elements are woven into the narrative. The winning writer will receive the $250 Grand Prize.

Submission Guidelines

All entries must be submitted through the official Ink & Imagination Writing Contest Submission Form before the published deadline. Stories must be uploaded as a PDF or Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) file; Google Docs links will not be accepted. The file name should be the title of your story. During submission, participants will provide their full name, story title, and word count. To ensure anonymous judging, do not include your name, school, or any other identifying information anywhere within the story document itself. Stories must be written in English, use a readable 12-point font such as Times New Roman or Arial, be double-spaced, and have one-inch margins. Brief words or phrases in another language may be used when appropriate; however, the story should be understandable in English. Entries that do not follow these submission requirements or exceed the maximum word limit of 3,100 words will be subject to disqualification.”

What We're Looking For

At The Resilience Foundation, we believe every great story has the power to inspire, challenge, and connect people. We encourage you to take creative risks and tell a story that only you can tell.

Surprise us. Make us think. Make us laugh, cry, wonder, or see the world from a new perspective. Bring your characters to life, create a setting that draws readers in, and weave the required story elements into your narrative in a way that feels natural and meaningful. Whether your story is filled with adventure, mystery, fantasy, suspense, or heartfelt emotion, we want to be captivated from beginning to end.

Submissions will be evaluated on creativity, originality, storytelling, character development, writing quality, and the thoughtful integration of the required contest elements. Strong grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and overall presentation are important, but above all, we want to read a story that stays with us long after we've turned the final page.

After the submission deadline, our panel of judges will carefully review each anonymous entry. Because every story deserves thoughtful consideration, winners are expected to be announced approximately 4–8 weeks after the contest closes. Participants will receive updates throughout the judging process, and we appreciate your patience as we celebrate the incredible talent of every young writer who participates.