Storyshares is thrilled to announce the launch of its 7th annual Story of the Year Contest, running from September 18, 2024, to January 13, 2025. This unique competition aims to expand the world’s collection of high-quality, engaging stories that are “easy to read and hard to put down,” specifically tailored for the 774 million striving readers worldwide. With over $15,000 in cash prizes and the chance to have winning stories published both digitally and in print, this contest is a game-changer for aspiring authors and readers alike.
On a Mission to Transform Literacy
At the heart of Storyshares is the mission to create more book options for older striving readers—those whose reading levels don’t match their age or interests. As Louise Baigelman, Founder & CEO of Storyshares, puts it, “Our writing contest is all about creating more book choices for the millions of teen and young adult readers around the world who are eager for stories that speak to them.”
The contest is more than just a competition—it’s a call to action for writers to help bridge the gap between readers and the stories they crave. Every submission that meets Storyshares' guidelines has the potential to inspire a love of reading and make a lasting impact on the lives of young readers globally.
Five Unique Categories for 2024
This year’s contest features five exciting categories, each offering a unique opportunity for writers to make a difference:
1. Immersive Decodables – $5,000 prize
Writers are challenged to create either decodable chapter books or a microfiction collection, using phonics and high-frequency words to craft stories that are accessible and enjoyable for emerging teen readers.
2. Captivating Characters – $3,000 prize
Authors are encouraged to create characters that leap off the page with rich personalities, compelling arcs, and relatable experiences.
3. Global Change-Makers – $3,000 prize
Nonfiction stories of real-world activists, innovators, or leaders who have made a difference, designed to inspire the next generation of changemakers.
4. For Teens, By Teens – $2,000 prize
A category exclusively for teen writers, inviting them to share their unique voices, experiences, and perspectives in any genre.
5. ReadWorks Story Reimagined – $2,000 prize
Writers are tasked with crafting a new ending for ReadWorks' 8th-grade cliffhanger series, "Hacked!"
The Impact of Storyshares
Since its first contest in 2013, Storyshares has engaged over 4,000 authors from 180 countries, resulting in the publication of more than 500 titles, distributed to over a million readers worldwide. These books fill a critical gap by offering stories that appeal to older readers without compromising readability.
How to Enter
The contest is free to enter, and writers from all backgrounds and ages are encouraged to participate. To submit your work, simply create a free account at www.storyshares.org/contest and follow the detailed submission guidelines.
Whether you're an aspiring author looking to make your mark or an established writer seeking to contribute to a greater cause, this is your chance to be part of a movement that empowers readers and creates lasting change in the world of literacy.
#StoryoftheYear2024
Visit storyshares.org/contest for more information. Let your story become part of the change!
Join the movement to empower older striving readers. Write. Read. Inspire.