afterlight / afterglow
Pen&Quill's 3rd Annual Summer Competition
We are so excited to announce for the third year Pen&Quill's Annual Summer Competition! We're calling all writers aged 12-21 to submit their best work for a chance to win monetary prizes and more! Submissions are now open. This competition closes on August 21, 2025.
Theme
There’s a moment after the sun has dipped beneath the horizon, but before the sky goes dark. Gold softens the edges of the world. Everything seems to glow. This period is referred to as "afterlight" or "afterglow."
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This year, our theme is one of transition, memory, and becoming: the cusp of adolescence, the end of childhood, the beginning of something new. We’re looking for writing that captures the glow before darkness. The beauty of what flickers—briefly, beautifully—before it’s gone.​
Prizes
1st Place: $200
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $50
Middle School Standout: $20
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Winners will also receive
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Two books each, provided by Princeton University Press
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1-year print and archive subscription to Ploughshares, provided by Ploughshares at Emerson College
sponsors & partners of our 2nd annual summer competition
submission
guidlines
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We accept simultaneous submissions, but please notify it as such and let us know as soon as it is accepted elsewhere (congratulations in advance)!
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The word limit for each individual piece regardless of genre is 1,500 words.
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You may submit up to three pieces of work in total, however, please attach them separately! Please attach your submissions as a PDF.
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Please place your full name and state/country at the top of each document.
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If you are under 13 years old, your parent or guardian must complete this signed Parental Consent form and email it to PenandQuills@gmail.com. Only after we receive and verify this consent can we review your submission.
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If anything is unclear, unstated, or causes concern, please feel free to contact us. We don't want confusion to prevent us from seeing your work! Our email can be found at the bottom of this page.
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While trigger/content warnings are not needed, anything racist, transphobic, homophobic, misogynistic, plagiarized, or prejudiced in any form will be immediately disqualified.
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Why are submissions only open to writers aged 12-21?Pen&Quill is dedicated to supporting young writers on their creative journey. Recognizing a gap in resources, communities, and competitions specifically for young writers, we strive to provide a fair and inclusive platform for their work to be acknowledged and for them to develop their skills.
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What are the publication rights Pen&Quill requests?Pen&Quill asks for First Serial Rights to your piece, granting us the exclusive right to publish it first (it won't appear elsewhere before our website). Upon publication, all rights revert back to you. However, should you decide to publish it elsewhere in the future, we'd greatly appreciate it if you could acknowledge Pen&Quill as the original publisher.
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Why can Pen&Quill only ship nationally?The platform we currently use to publish and distribute our journals has limitations when it comes to international shipping, which has made it challenging to send copies outside the United States. However, we are actively exploring solutions and experimenting with alternative methods to make international shipping possible in the future. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve!
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When does this competition close?You have until 11:59PM EST on August 21, 2025 to submit your work! We can't wait to see it!
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Why can P&Q only send money virtually?As a digital-centered nonprofit, sending prize money virtually through platforms like PayPal and Venmo is the most effective, secure, and cost-efficient method. These platforms allow us to transfer funds quickly and reliably while reducing administrative overhead. Mailing physical checks or cash would require additional resources and pose potential security risks. By operating virtually, we can allocate more of our resources to growing our programs and supporting young writers.
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What other resources are available to help me improve my writing?Pen&Quill provides a variety of resources, including free editing services, recommended books, writing guides, and useful websites for writers. Explore our 'Resources' page for a comprehensive list and we encourage you to the most of them to build your writing skills!
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What kinds of works are you looking for?We love writing that is fresh, provocative, and sharp. To get a better sense of the styles and themes we’ve published before, check out our 2024 and 2023 Annual Summer Competition Winners. Additionally, browse through the Summer and Winter issues on our website!
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When will I receive a response on my submission?Please note that Pen&Quill takes about 4 months to notify writers about their submissions. Unfortunately, we currently do not have the capacity to notify writers if their work is not accepted. You will only receive an email if your work is accepted.
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Do we accept simultaneous submissions?Yes, we do accept simultaneous submissions, but please email us before the deadline if it is accepted elsewhere. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification from future P&Q competitions and issues.
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Is there an entry fee?Absolutely not! Pen&Quill is committed to maintaining equitable and fair access to our resources, which is why we do not have entry fees for our competitions.
