WRITE RHODE ISLAND
The Rules: Compose a short story. Eligible entries should be a short work of fiction incorporating Rhode Island as a theme. Your entry must be under 2500 words.
The winning entry will be the top four stories that deliver a powerful and engaging story as determined by judges. Our judges look for a story that demonstrates creativity, technical skill, originality, personal voice and use of Rhode Island as a theme.
All submissions are read blind. Do not include your name, the name of your school or the name of your teacher on the pages on your story. Entries with personally identifiable information will be disqualified.
Winners will be notified individually via email and then an official announcement on our website and social media platforms. You will be notified by email if your story has been rejected.
- Each entry must be an original and unpublished work.
- Limit one entry per person.
- Please limit entries to 2500 words or less.
- Entries must be submitted electronically. All entries must be submitted through Submittable.
- The link for Submittable is active November 15 - December 8, 2024.
- All entrants will be emailed a list of the winners and an invitation to the awards ceremony.
- Entries will not be critiqued.
- Copyright of entries is retained by the writer, but the submitted copies of the entries shall become the property of Write Rhode Island. Write Rhode Island shall be granted rights, free of charge, to display, publish and otherwise use (in print and on the Internet) the submitted work as well as the first and last name and age/grade of each winner.
- Entries should not contain any personally identifiable information. Do not include your name, the name of your school or the name of your teacher on the pages on your story. Entries with personally identifiable information will be disqualified.
Entries should submitted by midnight on December 8, 2024.

Write Rhode Island works with schools and organizations throughout the state.
Write Rhode Island will provide creative writing workshops and author visits to students at JM Walsh High School, Pawtucket Public Library, West Warwick High School, Pawtucket Public Library, Ponagansett High School, Hugh B. Bain Middle School, East Smithfield Public Library, West Warwick Public Library, and Warwick Public Library. Please contact these organizations directly to sign-up for a workshop.
This year, Write Rhode Island is hosting an online creative writing workshop series, Fundamentals of the Short Story, for students in grades 7 - 12, 3:30 -4:30 p.m., on November 5, 12, 19, and 26. This workshop series is free but registration is required.
If you would like Write Rhode Island to visit your school or library, contact Diana at School One. 401-331-2497/dianac@school-one.org
2024 Write Rhode Island Winners
- Unlocked by Eliza Gobin, Lincoln High School
- The Journey by Karuna Lohmann, Narragansett High School
- Culicidae by Annabel Rarick, East Greenwich High School
- Brilliant light by Gabrielle Taillon, Ponaganset High School
2024 Write Rhode Island Notable Mention
- The Laughing Death by Audrey Adams, Barrington High School
- A Warm Winter by Emily Church, Meadowbrook Waldorf School
- The Reefs by Vika Dwyer, The Lincoln School
- Fall by Melanie Eusebio, Classical High School
- How Else Could I Be? By Bridget Flynn, Narragansett High School
- Undertow by Marjorie Leary, Portsmouth High School
- Run by Freyja Lombardi, Homeschool
- A Moment in Time by Brenna Malloy, North Kingstown High School
- Asesinato by Lillian Maloney, Barrington High School
- Pelts by Sadie McCann, North Kingstown High School
- The Library by Emma Mitnik, Barrington High School
- Boat of Hope by Maggie Reed, Lawn Middle School
- Gilded Thieves by Antonina Suellentrop, Archie R. Cole Middle School
- Night Owls by Amelia Taylor, Barrington High School
- The Adventures of Sir Harry by Wesley Van Leer, Barrington High School
- How to Survive Rhode Island: A Step-by-Step Guide, Jasmine Vega, Westerly Middle School
For more information about School One's LitCenter, contact Diana Champa, call (401) 331-2497, or complete our Inquiry Form.