Short Story Contest Opens To Plainfield Elementary Students

PLAINFIELD, IL — Children who are dreaming of becoming writers can show off their skills in the Plainfield Area Public Library's annual short story contest.

The writing contest, which kicked off Dec. 16, is open to anyone in fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Children can write whatever story they want — be it humor, comedy, mystery, fantasy or something else — as long as it's between 500–650 words.

The contest will be open through 11:59 p.m. Jan 21. Submissions must include a title; the student's name, grade and school; and parents' phone number and email.

Students should submit their work in a Word or Google Doc and send it in using a non-school email to jnelson@papl.info.

Chicago-based writer and poet Julian Randall will pick a first-, second- and third-place winner in three divisions, split up by grade level. Stories will be judged based on creativity and writing skill.

Winners will be announced at the Short Story Contest Author Talk and Award Ceremony at 10 a.m. March 3. A meet and greet with Randall is planned following the award ceremony.

The young authors will also have their stories published in the Plainfield Area Public Library Short Story Journal for grades four, five and six.