Young Author Writing Program
2026-27 State Young author program
**************************Attention**********************************
Homeschool students, unconnected to a local district, must submit to the State Homeschool Coordinator:
Devin Hodgins < Devin_Hodgins@natronaschools.org >
Required Deadline: Friday, January 8th, 2027
As usual- private schools or parochial schools entries should submit building winners to their local districts for district-level judging following the guidelines listed below.
Schools throughout Wyoming are encouraged to participate in the Young Authors Contest. This state-wide writing competition is offered for all grades, K-12 in public, private or homeschool. Entries include: fiction, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels. The Young Authors Contest provides students the opportunity to write for enjoyment and to share their writing.
The writers are recognized in their building and school district. Then, the first place entries at local districts are sent to the State Young Authors Contest by March 5, 2027
After judging, the winning entries and authors are recognized at a State Young Authors Celebration Saturday, May 1, 2027 in Casper at the St. Anthony's Tri-Parish School, 145 W 20th Street, with a virtual option available.
DISTRICT COORDINATORS, PLEASE SIGN UP BELOW FOR COMMUNICATION about Young Authors
2026-27 Young Authors Guidelines has details for the Program
Ideas on structuring your district Young Authors Contest
Paperwork for the coordinators:
Individual Entry Form and Media release needed for State entries
Coordinator Master Entry Form & Entry List
Videos on working in the Google Platform:
Recording to set up a Google folder for Young Authors
Recording to scan in paper copies of stories and permission forms
(scan the entries portrait view if possible!)
Recording to make a Google Doc or Word document a pdf/link
Have questions on organizing a contest in your building or district?
There will be a monthly coordinator meeting the fourth Monday of each month at 4:30pm. Join here.
How are the entries judged?
All entries will be ranked using the rubrics below. All judges are required to receive training prior to the State event. Interested in being a judge in April 2027? Please contact Devin at devin_hodgins@natronaschools.org or
Non-fiction, Fiction, POETRY, and Graphic Novel rubrics
Contacts
Questions or concerns?
Please contact Devin at devin_hodgins@natronaschools.org
or Jill at jill_felbeck_jones@natronaschools.org