PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, and the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum announced the 46th Annual Short Story Writing Contest for Children and the 27th Annual Short Story Writing Contest for Young Adults.

 

The contest opens on Saturday, June 1, 2024, and closes at 4 pm on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.

 

Youth Services Library Assistant Katie Robertson remembered entering the Library's short story contest as a youth.

 

 "It made me excited to have something I wrote featured in the library. It made me so proud,” she said. “I love to share this experience with young library patrons and encourage them to use their creative voice."

 

In anticipation of the contest, the Library is hosting three writing workshops for youth in June. The Children's Writing Workshops will take place on Monday. June 3, and Monday, June 17 at 3:30 pm for youth ages 6-13. 

 

The workshop will offer a relaxing, supportive environment to work on short story ideas The Writing Workshops for Teens will be led by local author and library staff member Jon Wynn on Monday, June 10 at 3:30 pm for youth ages 11-18.

 

The Library accepts submissions in person at the Library, via mail, or by email. Children's entries can be emailed to childrens@pittsfieldlibrary.org and Young Adult entries to youngadult@pittsfieldlibrary.org.

 

For more information and official rules, visit www.pittsfieldlibrary.org, email childrens@pittsfieldlibrary.org with "Short Story Contest in the subject line, or call the Children's Library at (413) 499-9480, option 5.