The 2026 Writing Contest is now open!
INK & IMAGINATION
INK & IMAGINATION
We are excited for our third annual IEProgram Ink & Imagination Writing Contest, available for all students who participate in the IEProgram.
Please read all information carefully before submitting.
Use the above button to submit your writing entry.
Submit the form a separate time for each entry.
Use the above button to volunteer as a parent judge.
We need you! See full details below on what a parent judge does.
CATEGORIES & LEVELS
Categories
Poetry
Personal Narrative (101 words to 1000 words)
Mini Memoir (100 words or less)
Flash Fiction (101 words to 1200 words)
Microfiction (100 words or less)
Open Letter (500 words or less)
Levels
Grade 7-8
Grade 9-10
Grade 11-12
A student’s grade level is based on the majority of the student's current class work.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Entries that do not follow these guidelines will be automatically disqualified.
** Each work will be judged based on originality, style, development of a theme, grammar/mechanics, and following instructions. In addition to these guidelines that apply to all entries, see specific guidelines for each category below.
** Work must be the original work of the student. Parents, mentors, and others may give feedback, but the voice and words should mostly be written by the student.
* Acceptable AI assistance: brainstorming, critiquing, discussing ideas
* Unacceptable AI assistance: writing or rewriting, anything copied & pasted.
If you use AI at any point during your writing process, include links to all chats in the submission form. If a link is unabled to be opened (URL instead of share link, link set to private, etc), entry will be disqualified.
** A student may enter in multiple categories. A student may submit one entry per category. Each entry must be submitted through a separate form.
** Entries that have won other writing contests may not be entered.
** Name or other identifying information should not be included on the actual entry, including the title of the document submitted. Name, grade, and other necessary information will be provided on the Google entry form. Format instructions must be followed for an entry to be considered.
**All entries (except poetry) must be 12 pt, Times New Roman font, double spaced. The title should be centered.
** Poetry font and format may vary, but should be intentional and enhance the meaning of the poem. If in doubt, use 12 pt, Times New Roman font.
** All entries must be submitted as PDF attachments. Other formats will be disqualified.
** The title of the PDF must match the title of the entry. Make sure your name is not in the title of the pdf.
** The contest is open to all IEProgram students. Enrollment in an English class is not required.
** Judges will be parent volunteers or non-English teachers in the IEProgram.
** Winners will be announced by email no later than the last week of the current school year, as well as on the IEProgram website. Winners may also be announced in other ways.
** By submitting their work, a student gives permission for the IEProgram to publish your work with your name on the IEProgram website and for your work to be used for future promotional materials.
CATEGORY DETAILS
Micro Fiction
A student may enter up to ONE entry.
Microfiction may not be more than 100 words. Longer entries will be disqualified.
The title is NOT included in the word count.
Flash Fiction
A student may enter up to ONE entry.
Flash fiction must be between 101 and 1200 words. Shorter or longer will be disqualified for this category.
The title is included in the word count.
Open Letter
This category is only open to Grade 11-12 or Advanced English students.
A student may enter up to ONE entry.
The open letter must be less than 500 words.
The title is not included in the 500 words. The salutation and closing is included.
Mini Memoir
A student may enter up to ONE entry.
A mini memoir should be based on a real experience, although details may be embellished or fictionalized.
A mini memoir may not be more than 100 words.
The title is NOT included in the word count.
Personal Narrative
A student may enter up to ONE entry.
A personal narrative should be based on a real experience, although details may be embellished or fictionalized.
A personal narrative must be between 101 and 1000 words.
The title is included in the word count.
Poetry
A student may enter up to ONE entry.
Poems may be any length, format, or style.
JUDGING DETAILS
A parent is required to volunteer once for each student enrolled in the program. Judging one batch fulfills one volunteer requirement
** All entries are due April 13 and will be delivered to judges no later than Monday, April 18.
** Judges will have until Thursday, April 23, to read entries and submit responses. All responses will be submitted by a form that will be provided.
** Judges will have the option to provide positive feedback on entries. However, students will not see how their writing was judged.
** All entries will be anonymous. No names or other identifying information will be included. A judge will not judge their own child’s writing.
** A judge may volunteer to judge as many or as few categories or age groups as they wish.
** A rubric and judging guidelines will be provided for each category. A judge does NOT need to be an expert in poetry, creative writing, or opinion writing to volunteer.
** Entries will be judged in batches of 8-10 entries.