SCBWI-IL Writing Contests

Write a 12-word 'Story Sprout' for a chance to win a scholarship to our 2026 Spring Thaw conference!

We invite SCBWI-IL members to write a 12-word Story Sprout for the Spring Thaw.

Submissions start today, January 12th, and will close at 11:59 pm on January 25th. First round of voting takes place from January 26-29, 2026. Second round of voting takes place January 30 - February 1, 2026. The winner will be announced on February 2nd, 2026.

What is a Story Sprout?

A story sprout is a short form of very brief prose narrative, often called Flash Fiction.

The Contest

1. Write a Story Sprout using only 12 words. They do not need to be 12 different words, but it must be only, and exactly, 12 words.
2. There are no limitations on style or genre. Make it happy, make it sad. Make it rhyme, make it prose.
3. The Story Sprout must be inspired by our prompt: Choose Your Own Adventure
4. The title is not included in the word count.
5. No illustrations please.

The Rules

1. You must be a current SCBWI Member (Premium, Student, or Free) and resident of Illinois to enter;
2. Only one entry per member.
3. Please include your title, name, and an email address at the top of your entry.
4. Click to submit your Story Sprout via Google Form
5. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
6. All entries will be placed into an online form and voted on by ALL SCBWI-Illinois members for round one.
7. Round one voting will take place from January 26-29, 2026 to determine top 10%.
8. Round two voting will take place from January 30 - February 1, 2026.
9. The winning writer will receive free attendance at the Spring Thaw event.
10. The Story Sprout will be used in promotions for the Spring Thaw Event, including various social media platforms and t-shirts.
11. The writer of the winning Story Sprout will be credited wherever the Story Sprout is used to promote the event.
12. SCBWI-IL can choose not to select a winner or confer this prize.
13. Winners must be able to attend either in person or the online event. If you cannot attend, no cash equivalent will be offered.
14. If the event is cancelled by the Region for any reason, SCBWI-IL will make every effort to compensate with an attendance to a similar (as defined by the Co-RA) event in future.

SUBMIT NOW

Questions? Email Pamela Morgan [email protected]