Fall 2025
High School Writing Contest
From September through November 30th, 2025, The Crossings is accepting submissions of original, unpublished work from high school Juniors and Seniors. Writers may submit one of each category short fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry, for a total of four submissions.
Details
An overall first-place and second-place winner will be chosen by The Crossings editorial team.
Prize
The first and second place winners will have their pieces published in the print and online version of The Crossings and will receive a copy of the Spring 2026 Edition of The Crossings.
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In addition, the overall first-place winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship and the overall second-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend Bethel University.* This scholarship cannot exceed tuition when combined with other scholarships.
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*Scholarships awarded to the winners are only valid at Bethel University of Mishawaka, Indiana. The scholarships will be awarded to a full-time student during his/her first year at Bethel.
Submission Guidelines
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Writer must be a high school Junior or Senior (11th or 12th grade) as of Fall 2025.
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All short fiction, non-fiction, and drama pieces should be between 500 and 2,500 words. Poetry submissions should be no more than 30 lines.
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Previously published stories are not accepted.
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Only one submission per person per category. Multiple submissions from one person will only be accepted if each piece is a different genre.
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All submissions should be typed, double spaced in 12pt Times New Roman or 11pt Arial.
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Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
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Email submissions to crossings@betheluniversity.edu with the subject line: “HS Writing Contest: [genre of piece].”
In the body of the email*, please include:
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the title of the piece,
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the genre,
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your name,
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grade,
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school, and
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phone number.
*All identifying information apart from the title should be left out of the attached file.
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Deadline:  November 30th, 2025, 11:59 P.M. EST