Extracurriculars for a Career as an Author
Authors write the novels, stories, and books people love to read. Writing contests, creative writing workshops, and literary magazines help high schoolers grow their craft.
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Programs for a Career as an Author
Why it fits: Literature, Philosophy and Culture track offers advanced study in creative and analytical writing at university level.
Why it fits: Program emphasizes analytical writing, deep textual engagement, and critical argument development through writing assignments.
Why it fits: Writing instruction within humanities courses develops creative writing skills and literary analysis abilities.
Why it fits: Students submit original writing across multiple genres including poetry, short fiction, and journalism.
Why it fits: Essay competition develops strong writing skills and research abilities applicable to historical and political writing.
Why it fits: Writing submissions compete nationally with winners receiving recognition, grants, and ongoing support for artistic development.
Why it fits: Literature category explicitly welcomes original creative and philosophical written work.
Why it fits: Essay writing and composition are core to developing the craft of literary expression and argumentation.
Why it fits: Students write original plays and musicals, developing core authorship and narrative craft skills.
Why it fits: Writing contest develops creative composition and narrative skills in environmental and outdoor narratives.
Why it fits: Competition cultivates clear writing style, originality, and ability to engage readers with compelling arguments.
Why it fits: Students write analytical essays on literary texts, developing deep engagement with prose and narrative analysis.
Why it fits: Essay writing and composition directly build the core skills of professional authorship.
Why it fits: Direct preparation for publishing poetry and developing craft as a young writer.
Why it fits: Essay writing competition directly develops the craft and argumentation skills central to authorship.
Why it fits: Students develop original dramatic narratives, directly building the craft of playwriting and storytelling.
Why it fits: Develops original essay composition, voice, and advanced writing mechanics judged on a detailed rubric.
Why it fits: Builds creative writing and storytelling abilities through journalism publication and editorial work.
Why it fits: Literature course leads students through great short stories and poems to cultivate moral imagination and deeper reading.
Why it fits: Creative Writing camps teach craft and technique from experienced instructors in a dedicated arts environment.
Why it fits: Creative writing course provides intensive instruction and feedback in writing craft from experienced instructors.
Why it fits: Students write completed pieces and receive instruction in craft from published writers across multiple genres.
Why it fits: Students develop creative voice and writing skills directly applicable to fiction and poetry composition.
Why it fits: Writing is a core field of study providing instruction in creative and literary work.
Why it fits: Workshop focuses on poetry, narrative essays, and developing a personal academic voice through intensive writing practice.
Why it fits: Daily writing workshops across genres directly prepare students for novelistic storytelling and craft.
Why it fits: Students focus on fiction, poetry, and creative writing craft directly aligned with novel authorship.
Why it fits: Competition deepens appreciation for literature and develops creative interpretation of language and themes.
Why it fits: Students build craft across fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and literary criticism through close reading and writing practice.
Why it fits: The festival emphasizes artistic writing, performance, and creative expression through original poetry and spoken word.
Why it fits: Students engage deeply with contemporary playwrights' written work and narrative construction.
Why it fits: The program focuses on developing personal storytelling skills through writing and performing true stories in front of audiences.
Why it fits: Direct focus on developing poetry, fiction, and personal prose with expert faculty guidance and peer feedback.
Why it fits: Two weeks of intensive creative writing workshops and mentorship from award-winning authors directly builds novel and story craft.
Why it fits: Students develop poetic expression and creative writing through competition submission.
Why it fits: Direct competition for poetry and prose submissions; winners published in The Adroit Journal.
Why it fits: Direct competition for fiction, poetry, and nonfiction writers seeking publication and recognition in literary writing.
Why it fits: Students develop fiction and creative writing skills with professional writers in an intensive workshop setting.
Why it fits: Students read widely across literary movements and genres, then complete creative writing prompts inspired by course texts and discussions.
Why it fits: Intensive week-long focus on honing writing craft and experimenting with creative writing techniques.
Why it fits: Students write letters analyzing how literature affected them personally, directly practicing creative composition.
Why it fits: Students write original short plays confronting gun violence, directly developing playwriting and narrative craft.
Why it fits: Program strengthens creative writing skills and offers publication opportunities in the Octavia Project zine.
Why it fits: Students write and submit original poetry for publication and recognition by established literary judges.