The Woodruff Times and The Upstate Times are inviting young people throughout Upstate South Carolina to put their imaginations to work in the 2026 Young Writers Competition.
Open to students in grades 1–12, the competition gives children and teenagers an opportunity to share their creativity, see their work published and compete for cash prizes.
Students may write about any age-appropriate topic. Entries can include fun stories, adventures, mysteries, stories about friendship, fantasy tales, Halloween stories or anything else inspired by the writer’s imagination.
Three Students Will Win $100
The competition is divided into three age groups:
- Elementary School: Grades 1–5
- Middle School: Grades 6–8
- High School: Grades 9–12
One grand-prize winner will be selected from each group. Each winner will receive a $100 cash prize.
Winning stories will also be published in The Woodruff Times and The Upstate Times, giving the young authors an opportunity to see their work in print and online.
Selected entries may also be included in a future book or anthology featuring stories written by local children and teenagers. Parent or guardian permission is required before a minor’s work or identifying information is published.
Young Writers Can Choose Their Own Topics
There is no required theme. Stories should be original, age-appropriate and either typed or neatly handwritten.
Each entry should include the student’s:
- Name
- Grade
- School
- Hometown
- Parent or guardian’s name
- Telephone number
- Email address, if available
A completed parent or guardian permission form must accompany every submission.
Entries must be the student’s original work. Plagiarized, AI-generated or incomplete submissions may be disqualified.
How to Enter
Entries must be received by October 1, 2026.
Stories and completed permission forms may be emailed to:
There is no entry fee, subscription or purchase required to participate.
Schools, teachers, media specialists, parents and community organizations are encouraged to share the competition with eligible students throughout Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and surrounding Upstate communities.
The Young Writers Competition is part of an effort by The Woodruff Times and The Upstate Times to encourage creativity, celebrate local talent and give young people a place to share their voices.
For additional information, email contest@thewoodrufftimes.com or click here to visit the contest page.
