Issue 6 is now open!

Investing in the next generation of writers.

Professional feedback on every entry.

Open to all students aged 9-18.

Past Winners

Submit Your Story

Competition Details

The literary world is brimming with talented young writers.

Yet why are there are so few opportunities for them to get published?

Young writers deserve more opportunities to showcase their voices,

hone their skills, and challenge their creativity.

The literary world is brimming with talented young writers.

Yet why are there are so few opportunities for them to get published?

Young writers deserve more opportunities to showcase their voices,

hone their skills, and challenge their creativity.

What is

Season Of Ink?

Season of Ink is a writing competition that runs twice a year with a unique prompt and theme each time.

We encourage you to submit your most inventive, creative, and captivating pieces.

No Barriers

to Entry

We welcome writers from all ages, backgrounds and experiences to participate!

This contest is open to students ages 9-19 across the world!

Hundreds

in Cash Prizes

Each season, we award hundreds in cash prizes to the top 3 entries in the elementary, middle school and high school categories!

We can't wait to review and celebrate your work!

Competition Timeline

The Fall edition of this year's Season of Ink opens

in August and results are announced in November!

The Winter Edition of this year’s Season of Ink begins October 1st and ends December 15th

September 21st

Early Bird submissions for Issue 6 closes! Upload early and use Coupon EARLYBIRD5 for 50% off!

October 1st

All Issue 6 pieces are due on this date at 11:59 PM EST

November 15th

Issue 6 winners are announced. Time to celebrate your amazing stories!

Our Mission

Your story matters.

Season of Ink is a biannual writing competition that celebrates bold, original voices from students around the world.

Whether it’s a fictional world, a slice of real life, or a magical twist on something familiar, we’re looking for stories that surprise us, move us, and stay with us. If it’s under 1,000 words and comes from the heart — we want to read it.

Judged by professional writers, Season of Ink honors creativity, courage, and the power of youth storytelling.

Who’s Judging?

Season of Ink is one of the only creative competitions in the world that offers scored and written feedback.

Each story is judged by editors or humanities students from top colleges.

Many of our judges are published writers and former writing competition participants themselves!

Click the link below to see the rubric we use to score student entries.

CW Rubric

AB Rubric

Season 6 Prompt: Two Ways to Write

Feel free to explore any topic, style, or theme that inspires you! With this "Free For All" prompt, the possibilities are endless.

Whether it's a personal reflection, a fictional tale, or an experimental piece—your creativity has no limits.

For more information about Season 6's prompts, click the link below.

Prompts

NEW: Analytical Writing!

Issue 6 also launches our brand new Analytical Writing category—for students ready to turn ideas into impact.

This category challenges you to ask a debatable question, build a clear argument, and back it up with evidence.

Think Greta Thunberg at the UN, Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem, or Hasan Minhaj breaking down culture and politics: clear ideas, powerful words.

For more information about Season 6's prompts, click the link below.

Prompts

Past Winners

We award cash prizes to the top 3 winners for our elementary, middle and high school categories.

Looking for inspiration?

Click the link below to read previous award-winning stories!

View Stories

Students Love Our Contest

Here’s what past students had to say!

SoI was an outlet for my writing and motivated me to unleash my creativity. It was an opportunity to polish and develop my storytelling skills.

The online celebration showed me other writers’ creative process and journey behind their wonderful pieces. I was so inspired by their incredible ideas!

Iris W.
Grade 8
Before entering in this competition, I was nervous to start a creative writing essay because I had not done creative writing in years, and I did not know where to start.

Through the process, I also realized it was also just journaling my own emotions into a whimsical, melancholy story. I was so wrong to consider it a homework assignment rather than a way to get to know myself better. And hearing advice and praise from a professional writer who was my judge increased my confidence in writing so much.
Emma S.
Grade 9
I sincerely enjoyed my time preparing my piece for the Season of Ink competition! The broad, one-word theme allowed me to push the boundaries of my creativity and delve into topics in formats I would usually be scared of writing into.

Writing is all about vulnerability and I love how Season of ink promotes this notion and the supportive community that comes with it. Sometimes, for young and experienced writers alike, the best pieces come from a place of truth and it's important to never be afraid of exploring that concept!
Joanna D.
Grade 11
Season of Ink inspired me to create unique stories and push me beyond my limits. This was my first writing competition, and I feel accomplished to have received a prize! But most of all, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to enhance my skills and see other people's works!
Kevin S
Grade 7
The Season of Ink competition was an outlet for my writing, and it took my writing to a whole new level. It helped me find undiscovered ideas that were hidden in my head and honestly helped unleash my creativity. When I first heard of the Season of Ink competition, I only attended because I wanted to see my rubric and feedback. I really wasn't planning to win. But after I was notified as a winner, I was literally buzzing with excitement!

Through this writing experience, I also learned that editing is very, very important. I have edited my story so many times, and that is the true reason why I could win. All in all, Season of Ink was a great opportunity to unleash my feelings and creativity, understand the true meaning of writing and have fun while doing so!
Caroline W
Grade 6
SoI was an outlet for my writing and motivated me to unleash my creativity. It was an opportunity to polish and develop my storytelling skills.

The online celebration showed me other writers’ creative process and journey behind their wonderful pieces. I was so inspired by their incredible ideas!

Iris W.
Grade 8
Before entering in this competition, I was nervous to start a creative writing essay because I had not done creative writing in years, and I did not know where to start.

Through the process, I also realized it was also just journaling my own emotions into a whimsical, melancholy story. I was so wrong to consider it a homework assignment rather than a way to get to know myself better. And hearing advice and praise from a professional writer who was my judge increased my confidence in writing so much.
Emma S.
Grade 9
I sincerely enjoyed my time preparing my piece for the Season of Ink competition! The broad, one-word theme allowed me to push the boundaries of my creativity and delve into topics in formats I would usually be scared of writing into.

Writing is all about vulnerability and I love how Season of ink promotes this notion and the supportive community that comes with it. Sometimes, for young and experienced writers alike, the best pieces come from a place of truth and it's important to never be afraid of exploring that concept!
Joanna D.
Grade 11
Season of Ink inspired me to create unique stories and push me beyond my limits. This was my first writing competition, and I feel accomplished to have received a prize! But most of all, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to enhance my skills and see other people's works!
Kevin S
Grade 7
The Season of Ink competition was an outlet for my writing, and it took my writing to a whole new level. It helped me find undiscovered ideas that were hidden in my head and honestly helped unleash my creativity. When I first heard of the Season of Ink competition, I only attended because I wanted to see my rubric and feedback. I really wasn't planning to win. But after I was notified as a winner, I was literally buzzing with excitement!

Through this writing experience, I also learned that editing is very, very important. I have edited my story so many times, and that is the true reason why I could win. All in all, Season of Ink was a great opportunity to unleash my feelings and creativity, understand the true meaning of writing and have fun while doing so!
Caroline W
Grade 6
SoI was an outlet for my writing and motivated me to unleash my creativity. It was an opportunity to polish and develop my storytelling skills.

The online celebration showed me other writers’ creative process and journey behind their wonderful pieces. I was so inspired by their incredible ideas!

Iris W.
Grade 8
Before entering in this competition, I was nervous to start a creative writing essay because I had not done creative writing in years, and I did not know where to start.

Through the process, I also realized it was also just journaling my own emotions into a whimsical, melancholy story. I was so wrong to consider it a homework assignment rather than a way to get to know myself better. And hearing advice and praise from a professional writer who was my judge increased my confidence in writing so much.
Emma S.
Grade 9
I sincerely enjoyed my time preparing my piece for the Season of Ink competition! The broad, one-word theme allowed me to push the boundaries of my creativity and delve into topics in formats I would usually be scared of writing into.

Writing is all about vulnerability and I love how Season of ink promotes this notion and the supportive community that comes with it. Sometimes, for young and experienced writers alike, the best pieces come from a place of truth and it's important to never be afraid of exploring that concept!
Joanna D.
Grade 11
Season of Ink inspired me to create unique stories and push me beyond my limits. This was my first writing competition, and I feel accomplished to have received a prize! But most of all, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to enhance my skills and see other people's works!
Kevin S
Grade 7
The Season of Ink competition was an outlet for my writing, and it took my writing to a whole new level. It helped me find undiscovered ideas that were hidden in my head and honestly helped unleash my creativity. When I first heard of the Season of Ink competition, I only attended because I wanted to see my rubric and feedback. I really wasn't planning to win. But after I was notified as a winner, I was literally buzzing with excitement!

Through this writing experience, I also learned that editing is very, very important. I have edited my story so many times, and that is the true reason why I could win. All in all, Season of Ink was a great opportunity to unleash my feelings and creativity, understand the true meaning of writing and have fun while doing so!
Caroline W
Grade 6
SoI was an outlet for my writing and motivated me to unleash my creativity. It was an opportunity to polish and develop my storytelling skills.

The online celebration showed me other writers’ creative process and journey behind their wonderful pieces. I was so inspired by their incredible ideas!

Iris W.
Grade 8
Before entering in this competition, I was nervous to start a creative writing essay because I had not done creative writing in years, and I did not know where to start.

Through the process, I also realized it was also just journaling my own emotions into a whimsical, melancholy story. I was so wrong to consider it a homework assignment rather than a way to get to know myself better. And hearing advice and praise from a professional writer who was my judge increased my confidence in writing so much.
Emma S.
Grade 9
I sincerely enjoyed my time preparing my piece for the Season of Ink competition! The broad, one-word theme allowed me to push the boundaries of my creativity and delve into topics in formats I would usually be scared of writing into.

Writing is all about vulnerability and I love how Season of ink promotes this notion and the supportive community that comes with it. Sometimes, for young and experienced writers alike, the best pieces come from a place of truth and it's important to never be afraid of exploring that concept!
Joanna D.
Grade 11
Season of Ink inspired me to create unique stories and push me beyond my limits. This was my first writing competition, and I feel accomplished to have received a prize! But most of all, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to enhance my skills and see other people's works!
Kevin S
Grade 7
The Season of Ink competition was an outlet for my writing, and it took my writing to a whole new level. It helped me find undiscovered ideas that were hidden in my head and honestly helped unleash my creativity. When I first heard of the Season of Ink competition, I only attended because I wanted to see my rubric and feedback. I really wasn't planning to win. But after I was notified as a winner, I was literally buzzing with excitement!

Through this writing experience, I also learned that editing is very, very important. I have edited my story so many times, and that is the true reason why I could win. All in all, Season of Ink was a great opportunity to unleash my feelings and creativity, understand the true meaning of writing and have fun while doing so!
Caroline W
Grade 6