HAGERSTOWN – The Washington County Free Library is calling for writers to participate in their “Writers and Poets Contest 2026.” The contest has five age division categories: grades 2-3, grades 4-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12 and an adult division. The contest started on Dec. 15 and will be accepting entries until Sunday, Feb 15.
Here are the guidelines for the event:
– Writers can submit up to two poems and one short story
– Poems must be no longer than 100 lines
– Short stories must be no longer than 1200 words
– Poems/stories that feature gratuitous violence/sexual themes/profanity will not be accepted
Entrants must be Washington County residents or hold a county library card. Hard copy submissions can be dropped off at any branch or mailed to 100 S. Potomac St. Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, Attn: Children’s Department.
Please note that all hard copy submissions have to be received by Feb. 15. Submissions call also be emailed to: [email protected]. These also must be sent in by Feb. 15.
For emailed entries, the subject line should read: “Writers and Poets,” be in a Word Doc format (PDF’s will not be accepted) and must have a completed cover sheet. Cover sheets can be downloaded via the library website which is listed below or can be picked up at any library branch. Also note that no previously published material can be submitted.
On April 11, winners will have a chance to meet Kazu Kibuishi when he visits Fletcher Library. Kibuishi is a New York Times best-selling author and illustrator known for his “Amulet” series. He was also listed as one of the 2006 “Best Books for Young Adults.” by the young Adult Library Services Association. On April 15 a reception will be held to honor the winners of the contest.
For more information about the contest, readers may visit the contest page at: 2026 Writers & Poets Contest | Washington County Free Library.
