Submission Guidelines

Welcome to the eighth annual Inklings Writing Competition (IWC). This year we celebrate Olentangy’s hundreds of young writers who have participated and been recognized over the years for their creativity and skill in writing.

We invite any Olentangy student in grades 3 - 8 to submit their original writing to IWC 2023. Please read these submission guidelines carefully as some details have changed.

The categories:

• Argument: Take a Stand! Write about an issue, using evidence to support your claims  
• Fiction: Student-written, ORIGINAL stories and narratives
• Poetry: Student-written, ORIGINAL poems of any style

Submission criteria:

• Student entries can be no longer than four pages in length. While excerpts from longer pieces are acceptable, the writing must stand alone on its own merits. All entries should be in an easily readable font size (such as 11 or 12) and style (such as Arial or Times New Roman) and black text color. Any additional pages submitted past page 4 will not be read by the judges.
• All entries must be original student writing. Fan fiction entries are discouraged, along with other extensions of movie and book plots that require knowledge of the source story. Only single-author entries are being considered this year. Parents or teachers are welcome to help a student proofread and edit the submission, but the writing should be the student’s own. Please have a title for every piece you submit.
• Entries must be completed by filling out the Official Inklings Submission Form. The Inklings Team will not accept entries by email, simply “sharing” a GoogleDoc, or as a paper copy. Students may submit up to one entry in each category, if they wish to do so. All entries will be submitted on the same GoogleForm. Please wait to submit until all entries are complete. A parent, teacher, or your building gifted intervention specialist can help you submit.
• All entries are due by Friday, April 7. No late entries will be considered.
• There will be two rounds of judging. District competition coordinators will notify each building which entries are not moving forward to the final round of judging by April 20. The final round of judging will be held virtually on April 27-28, and results will be announced to buildings by May 15.
• If you need help, please reach out to your building’s gifted intervention specialist. Gifted Intervention Specialists can answer questions or assist you in submitting your work to the competition.
• Please consult the scoring guides for argument and fiction/poetry before submitting.

Questions?

• Email Valerie Biggam (valerie_biggam@olsd.us) or Aimee Fletcher (aimee_fletcher@olsd.us).