YAWP launches student-judged international writing contest

By AI, Created 4:47 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The Youth Alliance for Writers and Poets has opened its first international creative writing competition for high school students ages 14 to 18, with peer judging built into the process. The debut contest has already drawn submissions from seven countries and will award publication, recognition and shared prize money.

Why it matters: - The Youth Alliance for Writers and Poets is trying to connect young writers across borders and give students a built-in audience, feedback loop and publication path. - The peer-judging model is meant to reduce barriers for teens who may not already have access to literary networks or formal feedback. - The contest could widen access to recognition for student writers worldwide, not just in major literary hubs.

What happened: - YAWP launched its inaugural student-judged international creative writing competition and exchange in New York on May 12, 2026. - The contest is open to high school and secondary school students ages 14 to 18 worldwide. - Students can submit work in all genres of creative writing. - The organization has already received submissions from seven countries, including Kenya and Korea.

The details: - Each entrant also serves as a peer judge and anonymously reads and evaluates fellow submissions. - The judging process uses a step-by-step rubric intended to make participation accessible. - Entries will be judged on creativity, craft, personal voice and impact. - Winners will be published in the first YAWP magazine. - Winners will also receive recognition through YAWP’s platform and possible networking opportunities. - Every entry receives peer feedback and becomes part of a global community of student writers. - A donation from SuzeeBehindTheScenes will fund $100 in total prize money for the contest. - Livia Basche, YAWP founder and a junior at the Bronx High School of Science, said the goal is to connect writers across cultures and give young people access to peer feedback, leadership and publication opportunities. - Basche described the contest as a way to break down bias among youth with different experiences and barriers to getting work into the world.

Between the lines: - The contest mixes competition with exchange, which suggests YAWP is building a community platform rather than a one-off awards program. - The student-judged format gives entrants more agency than a traditional juried contest and may appeal to teen writers looking for peer validation. - The early international response points to demand for youth literary spaces that are accessible online and not tied to a single country.

What’s next: - YAWP will accept entries through May 31 via online form submission on its website. - Complete contest rules and guidelines are available at YAWP’s website. - The organization is expected to announce winners after the submission period closes and finalize publication in its inaugural magazine.

The bottom line: - YAWP is using a peer-led contest to turn creative writing into a cross-border community experience for high school students, with publication and feedback as the main prizes.