WORDS WITHOUT WALLS
NATIONAL WRITING CONTEST
What happens when a story is silenced? Who gets to decide what we read? We invite writers ages 12–18 across Canada to share their voices in defense of intellectual freedom. Whether it’s fiction, poetry, or a personal essay, tell us why the freedom to read matters to you.
THE DETAILS
Who can enter?
Open to youth ages 12 – 18
Is there a cost to enter?
No! It’s free to enter, but only one entry per person will be considered.
Are there prizes?
Yes! First place winner wins a ‘writer’s kit’ including journal, pens, pencils; all finalists will have their work published in a ‘Words Without Walls’ anthology
What’s the deadline?
Deadline: 11:59:59 pm PST on March 13, 2026
How long can my entry be?
For prose (fiction/non-fiction), aim for between 500-1500 words. For poetry, up to 1500 words maximum.
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY
Don’t forget to read the Writing Contest Rules and Guidelines before submitting your story!
NEED A PROMPT?
The Missing Chapter: Imagine a world where your favorite book has been banned. How does the world change? Write a story about a character searching for a “forbidden” story.
The Mirror & The Window: They say books are mirrors (to see ourselves) and windows (to see others). Write about a book that changed how you see the world or yourself. Why should everyone have the right to look through that window?
A Letter to the Censors: Write a poem or a persuasive essay to someone who wants to remove a book from a library. What are they missing? What are they afraid of?
The Librarian’s Secret: Write a piece of fiction about a “hidden library” in a future where intellectual freedom has been lost. What is the one book you would risk everything to save?
My Story, My Choice: Reflect on a time a book helped you through a difficult moment. Why is it vital that youth have the agency to choose their own reading journey?
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Download a Poster
Help spread the word about our contest!
The contest is a direct response to a 2024-2025 surge in book challenges within North American schools and libraries. Launched as a partnership between the charity Story Studio and Canadian Authors and Illustrators Against Book Bans (CAIABB), the initiative aims to transform a moment of restriction into an opportunity for expression.
Freedom to Read Week, founded in 1984, brings awareness to the ongoing challenges to writing and reading in Canada. This year (Feb 22–28, 2026), the national event is encouraging Canadians to think about and reaffirm their right to read. (More information is available at freedomtoread.ca
Story Studio runs regular monthly writing contests for youth. In addition, we host annual writing contests on specific themes: in 2024, we focused on ‘climate fiction’, and writing about positive possible futures. The contest was held in conjunction with an in-person event hosted by acclaimed writer Michael Christie. In 2025, we ran a national contest on the theme of how stories build community, supported by an event with award-winning author Esi Edugyan. Both national contests attracted hundreds of entries
January Creative Writing Contest for Kids
Your character wakes up on January 1st. When they look out their window, it is clear that they have GONE BACK IN TIME! Write a 500 word story about how your character handles their trip to the past. We’re looking for creative stories filled with vivid descriptions and exciting plot twists. We can’t wait to hear what adventures your characters get into!
How to Enter
Our creative writing contest for kids is free to enter (one entry per person)
Check out Story Studio’s free writing resources to help you create a story, from idea to finished product.
Read the Writing Contest Submission Rules and Guidelines.
- Submit your story
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Support Special Spaces for Young Writers
Story Studio is proud to offer one of the few monthly writing contests for youth in Canada that is completely free and celebrates their creativity by publishing anthologies of their work. By joining our community of young writers—and the parents, grandparents, and teachers who support them—you can help us continue to inspire and empower kids through storytelling. Be part of a movement that gives every child a chance to write, create, and shine.