Do you have an author in grades 3 through 12 in your life who lives in or goes to school in Stamford? For more than 40 years the Annual Stamford Literary Competition has recognized the work of local student authors in the categories of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Winners receive copies of the anthology in which their work will be published. They also receive an award certificate from the Friends and a gift certificate for the Friends of Ferguson Library Book Store. Please encourage your young author to join the competition this year. Parents and/or teachers may help the authors to submit their entries.
Any copy generated by AI is expressly prohibited.
The committee members and the judges look forward to reading the submissions. An award ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Sincerely,
Eileen H. Rosner
Annual Literary Competition Chair
Competition Details
Eligibility
Students in grades 3-12 who live in or attend school in Stamford.
Categories
- Fiction
Invented by the author's imagination or made up. - Nonfiction
Memory of actual event or report or opinion. If source materials are used they should be listed at the end of the piece. - Poetry
An expression of feelings and ideas using distinctive style and rhythm.
Entries judged separately for Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grades 7 to 8, Grades 9 to 10, Grades 11 to 12.
Submissions
- Each student may submit only one entry per category.
- Each student may submit entries in two categories only.
Originality
Entries must be original work of one individual author.
Length
- Fiction entries limited to 1500 words.
- Non-fiction limited to 1500 words.
- Poetry limited to two pages.
- Entries that exceed the limit will not be submitted to the judges.
Format
- Entries must be in English, typed, single-spaced, using a simple 10-point font.
- NO color text.
- NO illustrations.
- Word docs only.
Procedure
- Entry form must be attached to the online submission form.
- Only Word docs will be accepted.
- Please use the name of your entry as the name of your Word doc.
- A separate entry form is required for each submission.
Deadline
All entries must be submitted no later than February 7, 2025. Winners will be notified prior to the award ceremony this spring.
Criteria
There may be four winners in each category: First, second, third place, and one honorable mention.
Any copy generated by AI is expressly prohibited.
Creativity (50%)
Insightful content based on personal experience and/or issues of personal interest. Originality and appropriateness of topic are essential.
Structure (25%)
- Organization: Clarity of thought, clear focus, coherent expression, development of theme (opening, development, closing).
- Fiction: Present and resolve conflict or problem affecting characters. Must be invented by the author. Anything generated by AI will not be considered.
- Nonfiction: Logical development with supporting arguments or examples. Based on a real event, report, or opinion. Source materials must be listed at the end of the piece.
- Poetry: Indicate understanding of format and structure, and demonstrate command of the elements of poetry. Express feelings and ideas using distinctive style and rhythm.
Technique (25%)
Accuracy in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Ability to use punctuation conventionally or for effect. Language appropriate to subject and audience. Proper use of vocabulary; appropriate choice of words. Variety of sentence structure. Presentation should be neat, easy to follow, easy-to-read, with clear, clean margins.
Submit Your Entry