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Unsolved 2025 | Creative Writing Contest | Middle & High
Get your students writing thrilling fiction with Unsolved - the creative writing contest for 10-18 year-olds
Engaging creative writing activity to take part in today!
Your students are invited into the gripping world of crime and mystery writing...
Your classroom will be buzzing as your students use the story starters to get their ideas flowing and then they can use the entry form to write their thrilling tales.
This is the perfect theme to allow them to explore different characters, settings, and plots. Will they solve a cold case, write an original mystery or make sure justice is served?
With the thrilling theme, amazing prizes up for grabs, and the opportunity to be published, Unsolved will engage and inspire even the most reluctant writers.
Get started by checking out the free resources available to download, including 4 different activities, story starters, and a presentation! (Or use the Google Slides version instead!)
Closing Date: Friday Feb 21, 2025
We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...
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This is my sixth year using YW to publish my students' writing and they are so easy to work with! My students are always excited to use the provided theme and challenge themselves to be chosen!
Thank you so much for another opportunity! The class really enjoyed this.
Justina Denapoli, Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy, NYSee more...
The students enjoyed the freedom of this project (Peculiar Pets). It got them excited to write.
Amanda Peterson, Christ The King School, NYSee more...
Peculiar Pets was a great activity!
Anne Piccoli, Immaculate Heart Of Mary School, NYSee more...
Thank you for the intriguing prompts and engaging activities! I look forward to these contests each year.
Mike Carter, Millis Middle/High School, MASee more...
My students absolutely loved the challenge of writing mini sagas!
Darla Bubar, Edward Town Middle School, NYSee more...
The story starters are so fun!
Nichole Charbonneau, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, MASee more...
My students look forward to this contest every year, and so do I!
Rachel Barnes, Monomay Regional High School, MASee more...
This was such a fun way to have my students engaged with their writing!
Christina Guertin, Midland Street School, NYSee more...
This is my sixth year using YW to publish my students' writing and they are so easy to work with! My students are always excited to use the provided theme and challenge themselves to be chosen!
To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:
Closing Date: Friday Feb 21, 2025
Only one entry per student.
There is no limit to the number of entries per school. Teachers please submit your entries together where possible!
Entries must be the students' own original work
Mini sagas can be submitted on the entry form, a sheet of paper or typed (on a computer or using the Online Writing Portal)
Mini sagas have a 100-word limit (the title is not included in the word limit).
If a story starter/ending is used, it must be included in the 100-word limit.
Each student's name, age and school name should be included on their entry.
This exciting contest is ideal for students aged 10-18, but any student aged 5-18 is welcome to enter.
Free to enter.
If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.
For Schools
The Young Writers' Award of Excellence will be awarded to the school that submits the best set of entries.
PLUS
Every participating school receives a complimentary copy of the book their students feature in!
(The more entries you send, the more free books you’ll receive: E.g. Send 1-30 entries & you'll receive 1 free copy, send 31-60 entries you'll receive 2 free copies, etc. Every participating school receives at least 1 free copy their students feature in.)
For Pupils
Our 3 favorite writers each win a $50 Amazon Giftcard!
Plus every entrant receives a bookmark. Students chosen for publication also receive a certificate of merit.
(Winners will be chosen from entries received in Jan-Feb 2025).
Enter Online
Email
Email your entries to [email protected]
and please ensure your students' names and ages are on their work, and that you include your name, school name and school address in your email. Thank you!
Please ensure your name, email and school name and address are included with your entries if you send entries digitally via a non-Young Writers service.
Send by Post
Send your entries, along with your school entry form, to:
Young Writers Unsolved 77 Walnut Street Unit 11 Peabody MA 01960
We can't wait to read your students' mysterious and thrilling tales!
Jenni, Editor
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