EDUCATION

2023 Jax PBS KIDS Writers Contest

About The Contest

The Jax PBS Kids Writers Contest is open to any child in grades K-3 who wants to write and illustrate their own story. Submit your story to WJCT Public Media for judging and a chance to win cool prizes. Local winning stories will compete for the local online People’s Choice Award.

All writers and illustrators who enter and meet the requirements of the Jax PBS KIDS Writers Contest will have their work published online at wjct.org and receive a certificate. Grade-level winners will also receive a Jax PBS KIDS bag of swag (may include, but not guaranteed, books, DVD, t-shirt), be invited to read their story live at Be My Neighbor Day, and have a video made of them reading their story. The People’s Choice winner, in addition to all of the above, will receive a $100 gift card.

To help children prepare for the contest, encourage them to read last year’s winners, think about their own favorite stories, and create new stories.

Download the Jax PBS Kids Writers Contest

“Story Writing Fun Guide” and the “Teacher’s Guide & Classroom Worksheets” with brainstorming activities, help with writing and revising, and other ideas and tips (available on wjct.org)!

Enter The Contest

The contest officially begins each year on January 1. All entries must be postmarked by March 10 to be eligible. Download the entry form and contest rules below, then mail to:

WJCT Public Media

Attn: Writers Contest 100 Festival Park Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Information for Educators

Teachers, if you are interested in receiving information about the Jax PBS KIDS Writers Contest, visit wjct.org. Florida PBS LearningMedia also offers a collection of online teacher resources aligned to current Florida education benchmarks for use in classrooms.

Writers Contest FAQ

What is the Jax PBS KIDS Writers Contest?

WJCT has been hosting the Jax PBS KIDS Writers Contest since 1994. The Jax PBS KIDS Writers Contest is designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest encourages creative thinking and storytelling while building literacy skills through the creation and illustration of original stories.

Who can enter?

Any child in grades K-3 who wants to write and illustrate their own story may enter the contest. Students may be from public or private schools or homeschooled but must have the approval of a parent.

Who picks the winning stories?

Stories are judged locally by a diverse group of volunteers. Parents or any relative of an entered child may not serve as a judge. Judges determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for each grade level.

How is the People’s Choice winner chosen?

Winners from each grade level are published online. The public is given a week-long window online to read and vote for their favorite. At the end of the week, the story with the most votes is determined the People’s Choice winner.

How do I enter?

Download the Contest Entry Form and the Full Contest Rules. Parents must read the rules and completely fill out the Entry Form. Students write and illustrate their story, following the specific guidelines listed in the Contest Rules document. Parents mail in the completed Entry Form and child’s story to WJCT Public Media at 100 Festival Park Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32202, Attn: Writers Contest.

Any story submitted that does not follow the specific guidelines outlined in the Contest Rules and Entry Form will be disqualified and will not be judged.

Can my child submit more than one story?

No. Please only submit one story per child.

When will the winners be announced? Winners will be notified on or before May 15. Who should I contact with questions? Direct all inquiries to Circe LeNoble, WJCT Public Media’s Grants & Education Outreach Manager at clenoble@wjct.org or 904-3586329. j wjct.org