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"Illustration of a red curved arrow looping downward with a playful, swirled design
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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 24th.

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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 alongside our guest judge for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, as well as runner-up.

Results 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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"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

Every person in your character's world is born with a unique symbol - these symbols may represent a special ability, a destiny, or their true personality. Your character has always had a symbol that seemed ordinary or even disappointing compared to others - but one day, their symbol begins to change. Write a story about your character's journey to understand this transformation, what it reveals about themselves, and how it reshapes their place in their world.

 

Stuck? Consider these starters:

What was your character's original symbol, and how does it begin to change? Does your character embrace this transformation or attempt to hide it? Who helps or hurts them in understanding what's happening? Does your character ultimately welcome what their evolving symbol reveals, or do they choose a different path?

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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.

Previous Prompts

PrevPrompts
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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