Writing Contest
The English & ESL Department at LACC holds an annual writing contest for all students enrolled at the college during the spring semester of each school year.
- Scholarships are awarded to first, second, third and honorable mention in each of the following categories: short story, poetry, and ESL writing.
- Students must follow and adhere to the guidelines for each contest to be eligible.
- Winners will be notified in early May and should plan on attending the Awards Ceremony scheduled at the end of the Spring semester.
NOTE: Please visit this webpage in March 2025 for updated details about submitting your writing to our 2025 Writing Contest.
Writing Contest Winners - 2023
Emma Baker - Poetry, "Fan Letter to Mary Magdalene"
"...You unmarried, least merry Mary,
I even love you more than his mother,
whose heroics amount to the beginning..."
Marceline Kang - Fiction, "Muneul Market..."
"...Clothes sold out there are called 'feug-diay' which means “dusted off and sold” because they are worn clothes from Europe..."
Aeran Song - ESL Writing, Poetry, "Life with C-Something"
"...Try me little by little
as you have the noodle.
Yes, that’s the spirit. Little by Little..."
Writing Contest Guidelines
NOTE: Please revisit this webpage in March 2025 for more information about our 2025 Writing Contest.
Our 2024 Writing Contest is officially underway. Send us your best poetry and fiction! You have two options to submit your work, either in-person at Jefferson Hall 301, or electronically via the following links using your LACCD email to log in:
Submissions for the 2024 Writing Contest are due Monday, April 15th, by 12pm.
Before submitting, please carefully read the guidelines below:
Fiction Prize
Basic Guidelines and Rules for Short Story Submissions (please carefully read the full guidelines at the link below):
- No previously published work, including self-published work, may be submitted.
- Limit of three story submissions per entrant.
- No longer than 15 double-spaced pages.
- There are no restrictions on the style or genre.
- The author's name should not appear anywhere on your work.
Prizes:
- 1st Place - $200
- 2nd Place - $150
- 3rd Place - $100
- Honorable Mention - $50
Poetry Prize
Basic Guidelines and Rules for Poetry Submissions (please carefully read the full guidelines at the link below):
- No previously published work, including self-published work, may be submitted.
- Limit of four poetry submissions per entrant.
- Individual poems should be no longer than 10 double-spaced pages.
- There are no restrictions on the style or genre.
- The author's name should not appear anywhere on your work.
Prizes:
- 1st Place - $200
- 2nd Place - $150
- 3rd Place - $100
- Honorable Mention - $50
ESL Fiction/Poetry Prize
Basic Guidelines and Rules for ESL Poetry/Fiction Submissions (please carefully read the full guidelines at the link below):
- No previously published work, including self-published work, may be submitted.
- Submit original poems and/or short stories written in English.
- Poems should be no longer than 2 double-spaced pages. Short stories should be no longer than 10 double-spaced pages.
- The author's name should not appear anywhere on your work.
Prizes:
- 1st Place - $200
- 2nd Place - $150
- 3rd Place - $100
- Honorable Mention - $50