WALDPORT — Continuing its tradition of more than 10 years, the Waldport Public Library is urging young writers to “Find Your Voice” in the 2023 Young Writers’ Competition.
This year, the theme aligns with the summer reading program theme, and the prompt or premise is “How will you find your voice?” detailed as “What matters to you? Do you express yourself through speech, music, science, art sports, gardening, humor… or something else?”
Lincoln County youngsters and teens up to age 18 are invited to craft 800-1,500 words, either fiction (based on writers’ own dreams) or non-fiction. There is a beginner to intermediate division (no high school admissions in this category), and an advanced division (middle through high school).
“It takes courage to share what you have to say,” said Sharon McCrum, family outreach coordinator for the library. For some young writers, “this will be the perfect opportunity to find their ‘voice.’”
The competition, sponsored by The Friends of the Waldport Pubic Library, offers several cash prizes: $200 for the grand prize overall, two first prizes of $100, two second prizes of $75, and one $50 honorary mention.
Entries must be original, in final draft form, and typewritten, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Monday, April 3. Each entry must have a completed and signed application, which is available at the library desk, or from the library website. Submissions may be brought in person to the library in downtown Waldport, or emailed to waldportlibrary@waldportlibrary.org.
Winners will be announced at an awards night for the competition at the library at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. For more details, call the library at 541-563-5880.
