If you are in grades 6-12 and love to create, you are invited to enter the Teen Writing & Cover Art Contest as part of the 2026 Lacey Loves to Read Celebration. This contest is sponsored by Lacey Loves to Read member organizations: Timberland Regional Library, North Thurston Public Schools, the City of Lacey, and many community partners. The contest will be open for entries through Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 6pm.
Renée Watson, this year’s best-selling LLTR author, examines ideas of home and body image in her stories. All contest entries should explore, include, or reflect themes of location, place, home, and/or how our physical bodies inform our identity/ies. All entries should be submitted with an all-ages audience in mind.
Entry Guidelines:
- Each submission must be the creative and original work of a single author/artist. No AI-generated work will be accepted.
- Limit one entry per category (short story, poetry or cover art) per contestant.
- Entrants must attend North Thurston Public Schools or live within the NTPS boundary area. Private or homeschool students may enter as long as they live in the NTPS service area.
- Contest limited to amateur (unpublished) authors. Authors who have self-published their own works for free distribution may participate.
- Short Story entries must be 2,000 words or less. Suggested formatting: Double-spaced pages in Arial or Times New Roman 12-pt font.
- Poetry entries must be 30 lines or less.
- Each page must include a header with Title, Category, and page numbers on far right (ex. My Great Poem, Poetry, p.1)
- No handwritten entries will be accepted.
- Cover Art entries must be in portrait orientation on a single 8.5 in X 11 in. sheet, and if scanned or digital, should have a resolution of 300 dpi. Art should be created in ink, paint, or digitally (again, no AI).
- Contest submissions are non-returnable.
- Timberland Regional Library and the member organizations of Lacey Loves to Read reserve the right to reproduce your work. You may reuse all your work after February 28, 2026.
- Entries may be submitted to the Lacey Timberland Library or Hawks Prairie Timberland Library, online, or via email no later than Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 6 pm.
To Enter:
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← Online: Fill out the form and upload your entry at https://forms.office.com/r/bhspB5z4ia |
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← Via Email or Hard Copy: Complete the entry/creative works release form (linked at https://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/community/lacey-loves-to-read) |
Tip: If you’re an NTPS student, don’t try to share a Google Document! NTPS has security settings which prevent those submissions from getting through.
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Entering Via Email:
- Save your Writing entry in a WORD document or in .rtf file format with the the title [Category][Title] (ex. ShortStoryTheGlassCastle).
- Save your Cover Art entry in a .JPG, .TIF, or .PNG file format.
- Scan your completed entry form and save it as a .pdf file with the Category and Entrant’s Name as the filename (ex. ShortStoryRainaSedore.pdf)
- The email subject line must say: LLTR 2026 [Category] [Creator Name] (ex. LLTR 2026 Short Story Raina Sedore)
- Attach your writing/cover art file and your entry form file to the email.
- Send the email to RSedore@TRL.org
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Entering with a Physical Copy
- Print out or type your writing entry on 8.5x11 white copy paper, double-spaced, 12 pt font, one side of paper only. Staple your entry with one staple in the upper left corner, or use a small binder clip.
- Print out or create your cover art entry on 8.5x11 white paper, portrait orientation. Color or black & white entries are acceptable.
- Enclose your completed entry form and your entry in a manila envelope marked Attn: Raina Sedore, LLTR 2026 Writing & Cover Art Contest
- Turn in your envelope at the Lacey Timberland Library at 500 College Street SE or the Hawks Prairie Timberland Library at 8205 Martin Way E Suite B during open hours.
Prizes:
Writing entries in each category will be judged on excellence in elements such as characterization, plot, setting, and theme (for short stories) and language, flow, impact, and theme (poetry). First, 2nd, and 3rd prizes and honorable mention recognition may be given in each category. Each prize pack will include a book by Renée Watson, a book bag, & a VISA gift card.
Cover Art entries will be judged on originality, technique, clarity, and appropriate reflection of the overall theme(s). The winning entry will be featured as the cover of the Lacey Loves to Read 2026 eBook & will receive a prize pack (book by Renée Watson, book bag, & a VISA gift card.)
All winning entries will also receive publication in and a copy of the Lacey Loves to Read 2026 PDF eBook, available for download on the Timberland Regional Library website and linked on the Lacey Loves to Read website.
Finalists will be notified no later than Friday, January 30, 2026.
