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llustration of a yellow curved arrow looping downward with a playful, swirled design.
"Illustration of a red curved arrow looping downward with a playful, swirled design
Illustration of five pink lines radiating outward, resembling highlights or emphasis marks. Used as a decorative accent

No submission fees.

Just your voice, amplified.

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*All competitions are for elementary and middle school students only - high school students are encouraged to get involved through our Team Member form. Competitions open on the 1st and close on the 28th of every month. You can submit to our competitions as long as it is the 28th or earlier in your region.

The Process

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Prompt

Read our monthly prompt, and craft your story (350 words max) in response. New prompts are released on the 1st of every month. 

For extra support, sign up for coaching calls with award-winning writer and FSF co-founder Nathaniel here.

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Minimalist black and white rectangle with a curved corner on a white background

Submit Early, Before The 15th

Submit By The 28th

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For FREE feedback that you can use to revise and resubmit your story before the competition closes on the 28th.

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"Illustration of a person sitting and holding up a red flag with a heart, symbolizing approval or success.

The competition is open for entries until the 28th of the month, at 11:59pm PST.

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Win Prizes & Recognition 

Stories are then reviewed by our judging team alongside our guest judge for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, as well as runner-up.

Results & awards are released on the 1st of the next month, at 8:00am PST in our Hall of Fame.

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More Information

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Prizes

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Simple illustration of a small tree with a brown trunk and light green leaves, representing growth and potential
"Illustration of a small green plant stem with three leaves, symbolizing early stages of growth and potential
"Illustration of a sprouting plant with two broad green leaves, representing new beginnings and development.

​1st Place - $60 Amazon Gift Card, and writing published in our Hall of Fame!

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2nd Place -  $40 Amazon Gift Card, and writing published in our Hall of Fame!

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3rd Place - $20 Amazon Gift Card, and writing published in our Hall of Fame!

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Runner Up  - Writing published in our Hall of Fame!

Prompt

Once a year, the sky in your character’s town changes color - everyone has 24 hours to make a wish. The wish in question must be written down and sealed in a jar quickly, before the sky returns to normal. Most people wish for small things, like a successful harvest or an extended period of sunshine. But this year, something unexpected happens - your character's wish escapes from its jar before it’s fully sealed. Write a story about what happens next and how your character deals with their loose wish.

Stuck? Consider these starters:
What does your character write down, and why? How does the wish escape - and what does it do once it’s free? Do others in the town eventually find out about the wish? Can a wish still come true if it doesn’t follow the rules?

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All submissions before the 15th will receive FREE, personalized feedback that writers may use to revise and resubmit! Sign up HERE for one-on-one online coaching calls with award-winning writer and Future Scholar Foundation co-founder, Nathaniel Tok!

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Questions? Refer to the FAQs below, or contact us: futurescholarfoundation@gmail.com

*All competitions are for elementary and middle school students only. 

**Maximum short story length: 350 words.

Brandon Mull

April 2025 Guest Judge

Bestselling Author: Fablehaven, Five Kingdoms, and more!

​Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Five Kingdoms, Beyonders, and Candy Shop War series. He also led a team of authors to create the Spirit Animals series for Scholastic. His latest novel, Tales of Newel and Doren: The Gorgon’s Fury, follows the irresponsible Fablehaven satyrs as they try to become heroes. A kinetic thinker, Brandon likes popping bubble wrap, pacing, and squeezable stress toys. He lives in Utah with his wife, Erlyn, their eleven kids, and three mischievous cats.

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PrevPrompts

Previous Prompts

Screenshot of the September 2024 prompt from the Future Scholar Foundation's short story competition
Screenshot of the October 2024 prompt from the Future Scholar Foundation's short story competition
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