Creative Writing Contest for Teens

Creative teens with a passion for writing can find their voices through Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s 2010 Ralph Munn Creative Writing Contest. Open to all high school students (grades 9 through 12) in Allegheny County, the contest is an opportunity for teens to showcase their writing talents, improve skills and have their work published in an anthology which will distributed to all area libraries. Monetary prizes will be awarded for first ($250) and second ($100) place entries in three categories: poetry, short fiction and narrative nonfiction. All entries must be received by May 21, 2010.

Workshops led by experienced writers will be held in April and May to help teens polish their entries and expand their skills. Attendance at a creative writing workshop is optional and not required to enter the Ralph Munn Creative Writing Contest. Workshop space is limited. Please call 412-578-2599 to register.

Poetry: Renee Alberts

Saturday, April 17 / 1-3 pm

CLP – Main (Oakland), Classroom A
4400 Forbes Avenue

Renée Alberts will lead this session, which will include writing games, poetry readings and a guided workshop for teens who want feedback on their poems.

Short Fiction: Siobhan Vivian

Saturday, April 24 / 1-4 pm

CLP – Main (Oakland), Classroom A
4400 Forbes Avenue

Siobhan Vivian will lead several creative writing exercises aimed at inspiring teens to produce great fiction. The interactive exercises will touch on three foundations of creative writing - plot, character and prose.

Narrative Nonfiction: Brian O’Neill

Saturday, May 8 /1-3 pm

CLP – Allegheny
1230 Federal Street

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Brian O’Neill will preach the underappreciated virtues of short words, short sentences, simplicity, precision and wit in storytelling. He will show students how to cut to the chase and draw readers in.

Ralph Munn served as Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Director from 1928 until his retirement in 1964. During his 36-year tenure he was responsible for significant changes to the Library, including the creation of a young adults reading room, which has evolved into the Library’s Teen Department. Prior to his death in 1975, Munn provided the Library with an endowment to continue serving the young adults of Allegheny County by providing opportunities for creative writing.

To enter the Ralph Munn Creative Writing Contest teens must submit original prose by May 21, 2010. All entries must be submitted electronically to teens@carnegielibrary.org with “Ralph Munn Entry” in the subject line. For contest rules and for a list of last year’s winners please visit www.carnegielibrary.org/teens.