High school students are invited to submit original writing for Westminster College’s annual Creative Writing Contest, sponsored by the College’s Department of English. Winners will be given the opportunity to participate in a writing workshop, share a public reading of their work and receive an award on Westminster’s campus. The deadline to enter is Thursday, Oct. 15. 
 
The contest includes two categories: poetry and letters never sent. Students may submit an original poem or a letter never sent. Poems should be an ode to a tangible object in 24 or fewer lines. Letters must be true stories addressed to a specific person and a minimum of 2,000 words. The piece should present the truth about a shared experience that the writer could not find the words to express at the time.   

All submissions will be judged by Westminster faculty and students based on their ability to avoid a cliché storyline and make their subjects seen, heard and felt by the reader. The top three winners in each category will be notified by email and invited to participate in a workshop led by Westminster faculty and advanced students. 
 
“The contest aims to provide students in the region with opportunities to practice the craft of creative writing in conversation with Westminster students and faculty.  We are excited to read this year's submissions,” said Dr. Kristianne Kalata, professor of English. 

Winning authors will read their work alongside Westminster students on Thursday, Nov. 19, during the annual Bleasby Colloquium. All first-place winners will receive the James Ashbrook Perkins Creative Writing Award.   

The late Dr. Perkins, who passed away in 2022, taught English, writing and public relations at Westminster from 1973 until his retirement in 2008. During his tenure, he served as department chair, received the Distinguished Faculty Award, earned four National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships and served as a Visiting Fulbright Professor in Korea. He also published widely as a poet, short fiction writer and literary critic.  

The Westminster College George Bleasby Colloquia are a series of literary events held in honor of the late Dr. Bleasby, who chaired the College’s Department of English from 1954-1975. The programs feature presentations by department faculty, guest speakers and students on their scholarship, interests and creative projects.  

For more information, please contact Dr. Kristianne Kalata, professor of English and department chair, at kalatak@westminster.edu or visit the creative writing contest page here to submit an entry.  

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By  Kristen Aleprete  
Kristen Aleprete is a staff writer in Westminster College’s Office of Marketing and Communication.  
  

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