The Broadcaster’s Poetry Studio has become The Creative Writing Studio! This is a place to publish your poetry, short stories and artwork, as well as information about creative writing contests and events.  

If you would like to submit work, please email Creative Writing Director Mary Fritschie at broadcaster@tcsnc.org and include your name if you would like to get credit. Submissions can also be published anonymously.

BHS Creative Writing Contest

The media center is hosting a Creative Writing & Artwork Contest during the month of October. Submit your best poetry, short stories or artwork Oct. 1-29 for a chance to win prizes and be published in The Broadcaster!

Entries can be on any topic, and could have been submitted as an English assignment. All work must be original (no use of AI is allowed). Artwork can include photography and drawings.

One winner will be chosen in each category: poetry, short story and artwork. Prizes include your choice of a $10 Amazon or Starbucks gift card and goodies such as journals, pens and stickers from the library store. 

To submit your work, bring it to the library or email it to Mrs. Heaslip at jheaslip@tcsnc.org by 3 p.m. Oct. 29.

Writing festival & scholarships

Montreat College invites students to the Creative Writing Festival, a day-long event that includes creative writing workshops, panel discussions, scholarship competitions and guest speakers. The festival welcomes people of all ages who desire to learn and to grow in their creativity.

This year’s theme is “Telling the Truth,” and will include presentations and workshops by film producer Zach Dasher, creative non-fiction writer Jennifer McGaha and novelist Dale Neal.

High school juniors and seniors are invited to participate in the Creative Writing Competition, with four awards in poetry and prose categories. Four students will win a $1,500 scholarship to Montreat College and a chance to be published in Montreat’s art magazine, “The Lamp Post.”

NS State Fiction Contest

Enter the NC State Fiction Contest, described as “one of the largest free-to-enter fiction contests in the South.” This competition is open to all North Carolina residents, and the entry deadline is Oct. 10, 2025.

There are two categories: The James Hurst Prize for Fiction ($500) for an unpublished short story of no
more than 5,000 words, and The Shorter Fiction Prize ($250) for an unpublished short story of no more than 1,200 words.

Visit NC State’s Department of English website for more information and submission details.

National writing contest

Young Writers is holding a Creative Writing Contest called “Fright Club” through Friday, Nov. 7. “Fright Club” invites writers to explore tension, atmosphere and suspense.

Write a chilling mini-saga, a story told in up to 100 words. Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card for the top three entries. Every participant will receive a bookmark and certificate.

To enter, download as many worksheets as you need at www.youngwritersusa.com and write your mini-saga. Submit it, your name, age and school on your entry form and bring it to Mrs. Heaslip in the library. You can also use the Online Writing Portal and type directly into the system.

By Mary Fritschie