Writing Extravaganza and Young Author's Writing Contest

We’ve added two extra shows so more student stories can come to life on stage with The Imagination Machine!

Choose your region:

Contest Categories
Submit entries by Dec 4, 2026

Imagination Machine Story – up to 2 pages of your most creative fiction! (See IM Guidelines)
Newberry – text only, up to 10 pages.
Caldecott – with illustrations, up to 10 pages.
Grade Level Divisions: TK-K, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Important Notes

The Young Authors’ Contest and Imagination Machine selections are separate. You might win 1st or 2nd place in Springs’ contest, but not be chosen for a live performance.
Register your story here before uploading to the Dropbox — unregistered entries will be disqualified.
Every story is also submitted to The Imagination Machine for a chance to be performed live!
Optional: Students may submit up to two stories — one for the Springs contest (Newberry or Caldecott) and one for the Imagination Machine selection. Performance stories are usually shorter, simpler, and easier to act out.
Deadline: All stories must be submitted by December 6, 2026, to be considered.

Caldecott Entries

Must include illustrations that complement the text.
Text can be typed, handwritten, or computer-generated in any font or color.
Both artwork and text must be the sole creation of the student (TK-K students may dictate their story to their parents).
Illustrations can be created using any medium (e.g., paints, inks, crayons, markers, original computer graphics, cut paper, sponge painting).
Include a title and the young author’s name.
The story must be fiction.
No more than 10 pages.

Newberry Entries

Cannot include illustrations.
Provide a title page or cover with the student’s name (not part of the page count).
Text must be the sole creation of the student.
The story must be fiction.
Number the pages. No More than 10 Pages Entry
Stories may be submitted in Google Docs, Word, or PDF.

Students may also use one of the Imagination Machine templates linked below

The Young Authors’ judging and Imagination Machine selections are separate—but both celebrate your imagination! Please register

Writing Extravaganza and Young Author’s Writing Contest