WRITING DEMOCRACY
A dystopian & utopian fiction contest
in a collaboration with vote.org, we invite young writers to use DYSTOPIAN & UTOPIAN fiction to express their beliefs about democracy.
Stories are some of our best tools for creating a more democratic future. For centuries, authors have used utopian and dystopian fiction to envision an ideal version of the US, and caution against falling prey to authoritarianism.
In honor of America’s 250th birthday, we want YOU — young writers in 3rd–12th grades — to tell your own utopian and dystopian stories. This is how you can make civic impact even before you’re old enough to vote. By harnessing the power of fiction, you can share your ideas about the kind of America you aspire to build in the next 250+ years of our country.
To enter the contest, write a story in response to the following prompt:
Your main character lives in a dystopian society but somehow stumbles across a better world, where the major problems of their community are solved. When they stumble back into their dystopian reality, they are faced with a major problem they can’t unsee—they now know a better life is possible. How will your character expose the truth and find a better way forward for their community?
3rd–5th grade word maximum: 1,000 words
6th–8th grade word maximum: 1,750 words
9th–12th grade word maximum: 2,500 words
Submit your story using the form above by 11:59pm ET on Monday, April 13th.
Calling all educators…
If you’re a teacher, librarian, or community educator, we’d love to support you in working with your youth to submit to the contest. Click below to access a Padlet with a 3-session mini-curriculum on Writing Democracy: Utopian & Dystopian Fiction, complete with slide decks and handouts. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Curriculum & Outreach Manager, Olivia, at oquinn@cosmicwriters.org.