Literary-Arts Magazine

Contest launches in February 2025. Check back for more info!

Due date: June 15

Fee: $30

Awards are presented at the Fall SCSPA Conference.

Categories:

• Art (digital)- Art created on the computer or enhanced by a software program. Students will exhibit their control of the medium, design and artistic techniques. The work is a simple, accurate design to illustrate the context of the copy.
• Art (sketch)- Hand-drawn art. Students will exhibit their control of the medium, design and artistic techniques. The work is a simple, accurate design to illustrate the context of the copy.
• Cover- First page featuring dynamic nameplate and compelling visual and verbal content. Include the name and year and must be students’ work.
• Fiction- Judges will consider the use of literary devices for this category: attention beginning, logical plot, effective dialogue (if any), strong transitions, top-notch editing. No length requirement.
• Nonfiction- Entries should use creative leads, strong transitions and a good conclusion. Essays should also be edited well. Judges will select winners based on ability to uniquely communicate a meaningful event during the school year.
• Photography- Photos that demonstrate original interpretation; photograph is framed in an interesting and visually striking way; photograph demonstrates good use of composition techniques and lighting; photograph offers effective contrast, depth-of-field and tone. The work is a simple, accurate design to illustrate the context of the copy. Photograph will be judged based on both the subject composition and technical quality.
• Poetry- Originality and creativity in developing theme, concise writing and word choice. Judges will consider use of concrete language, figurative language and imagery; the use of literary devices (simile, metaphor, repetition), cadence, verb tense and development of tone and mood to create an emotional impact. Few convention errors.
• Review- Pieces should effectively detail pros and cons of something in culture (book, movie, show, restaurant, exhibit, etc.) No minimum or maximum length. Effective proofreading or editing is important.
• Script/Screenplay/Drama- Include staging direction. Dialogue along with other narrative devices.
• Song lyrics– Lyrics display originality and creativity and offer a strong, coherent message.
• Spread design- Two facing pages that together display a single verbal/visual story or a package of related content.
• Theme-Package includes cover, title page, table of contents and three spread designs presented as a portfolio.