Creative Writing Contest 2026

The Traveler? – A Writing Contest for 1.G & HF Students of English

The Danish Association of Teachers of English (DATE) will host a competition in creative writing.

The deadline for entry submisson is midnight Monday, 2 March 2026.

There are exciting prizes for the best contributions.

 

Theme: The Traveler

To travel is to go from one place to another, typically over a distance of some length. When we leave the limitations of the familiar, we often find out that the world is bigger and there's a lot more in it than we thought.

  • There are many kinds of distance - physical, mental, emotional, temporal, cultural
  • A traveler can be - an adventurer, drifter, globetrotter, immigrant, nomad, orphan, pilgrim, rambler, refugee, rover, tourist, transmigrant, trekker, vagabond, wanderer, wayfarer...
  • What familiar things & beliefs does the traveler take along? What do they leave behind?
  • How does the traveler become someone different when they arrive in a new place?
  • What do they bring back? Who are they when they return?
  • Can they ever be the same or see the world the way they used to?


Contest Rules

  • Students may write either a short story or poem in response to the theme: The Traveler.

  • Eligibility: 1.G or HF students studying English in Danish Gymnasium and IB programs.
    Native speakers of English must indicate this along with their submission
    Both class and teacher's name must be included with submission

  • Submissions can be either individual or collaborative.

  • Only written texts may be submitted for contest consideration (no graphics or other media)

  • All submissions must be new work written during the contest period.

  • File format: .docx or .pdf

 

Contest Tracks

FICTION

POETRY

  • One short story

  • 1500-3500 words

  • The main character should be a member of the writer's generation

  • Engage the theme through character development, setting transformation, and plot action

  • One poem

  • Any form

  • Maximum length: 3 pages

  • Evidence of engaging with the theme is experienced through writer’s use of imagery, sound, rhythmic & lyrical elements

 

 

Prizes

  • Books! Supplied by the winning school

  • Expert Writing Consultation: Detailed feedback for the writers and an opportunity to workshop the winning piece with our judges and discuss revision strategies toward making the writing even better.

 

The Benefit

Engagement in the Creative Writing Process develops a variety of skills:

  • Application & expansion of imagination

  • Organization & clarification of thinking for communication with others

  • Problem-solving ability through seeking alternatives

  • Increased fluency with language

  • Focused expression of opinions & development of individual voice

  • Analysis of the components of literature

    • For example: characterization, framing devices, story structure, theme, genre

 

Timeline

  • 2 March 2026 Submission deadline 

  • April 2026 Contest results returned & published, prizes awarded

 

Judging panel

Amalie Rusborg
Attended Aalborg University and Bemidji State University in Minnesota, USA. She has an MA in English and Cultural Studies, writes fantasy for adults and young adult a la Brothers Grimm meets Studio Ghibli. She written numerous novels and short stories, and currently teaches at the South Gate Creative Writing School

Leslie Nielsen
Holds an MA in English Literature from Ohio State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Ashland University. She has taught all genres of creative writing to all age groups. She is a speaker, visiting instructor and consultant at places including The Animation Workshop in Viborg.

Trine Bierregaard
Teaches at Viborg Gymnasium and has a Master of Gymnasium Pedagogy. Her graduate thesis deals with HF students' desire to write and writing competencies in English. She has written articles and presented numerous courses about creative writing both for teachers and students.

 

FAQ

  • The writing can be coupled with other media in assignments, but only the written text can be submitted & judged

  • Detailed feedback will be given to finalists

  • A general feedback summary will be provided to teachers

  • Any additional questions about the prompt can be directed to Trine prior to the contest deadline.

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