58th Annual Creative Writing Contest

The contest is judged by Arapahoe Community College faculty. Judging is based on originality, quality of expression, and skill in handling specific forms of writing. Detailed, grade-specific judging rubrics can be found in the Rubrics section. Judges will receive all entries anonymously. Bemis Public Library staff is not involved with the judging process. All decisions are final.

Judges will select a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner in each category and contest level. Winners will be notified by email in May 2025 with more information. Winning submissions will be compiled into a book which will be available for purchase and can be referenced at Bemis Public Library.

• Poetry - writing in verse, 100 lines or fewer. Examples - blank verse, song lyrics, free verse, epic, ode.
• Fiction - short story or one act play, 2,500 words or fewer. Examples - mystery, science fiction, historical, fantasy, thriller, romance.
• Nonfiction - short story or essay, 2,500 words or fewer. Examples - memoir, biography, historical, instructional, commentary.
• Collaboration - more than one person working together in the poetry, fiction, or nonfiction categories. All entries will be judged as one category and can be a mix of ages (1st-12th grades).

Please read carefully

• Only students in 1st-12th grades who live in the Littleton Public Schools District or attend a Littleton Public School may enter the contest.
• Entries must be received by the deadline - Midnight on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Incomplete entry forms will be disqualified.
• Plagiarized entries will be disqualified.
• Students may submit one entry in each category. Each entry must have a separate entry form.
• The author’s name should ONLY appear on the entry form - not on the writing submission.
• Label each page of the writing submission with the title of the work and page numbers.
• Writing submissions must be typed or printed legibly on only one side of an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper. First grade authors may dictate their entries for another person to type. 
• Original submissions will not be returned.

Entries may be submitted in one of the following ways - 

• Online Form - go to the Online Entry Form section and follow the prompts. 
• Email - completed entry forms and writing submissions can be emailed to friendscreativewritingcontest@gmail.com. If you are submitting more than one entry, please send a separate email for each entry. 
• Drop off - completed entry forms and writing submissions may be dropped off at the front desk of the Bemis Public Library, 6014 S Datura St., Littleton, CO 80120.

Entry forms for those choosing to send their entry by email or drop off are available in the Contest Documents section.

The 2025 Creative Writing Contest adheres to the principles of Colorado’s Safe2Tell which allows the reporting of issues regarding safety of students, parents, or community members. We understand that students may express anger, sadness, or other strong emotions in their writings. While we encourage uninhibited writing, we also take our responsibilities under Safe2Tell seriously.