Dragonheart Academy Fantasy Writing Contest

Contest Rules

Theme:
Fantasy short story (original story set in any world, with your own characters).

Length:
Up to 2,000 words.

Content Rating:
PG-13 or below — stories should be suitable for general audiences (no explicit language, violence, or mature content).

Eligibility:

Open to preteen and teen writers (ages 10–18).
Must have parent/guardian approval to participate.
Contestants must reside in the U.S.

Entry Fee:
Free

Submission Deadline:
March 22, 2026 (Chosen due to my main character's birthday!)

Judging Criteria (Skill-Based = Legal Compliance)

Judges will evaluate stories on:

Creativity & originality (unique idea and worldbuilding)
Character development (clear motivation, growth, or conflict)
Structure & pacing (beginning, middle, end that flows)
Use of language (clarity, grammar, and storytelling voice)
Emotional impact or theme (the “why” behind the story)

Each entry is judged by skill and merit — no random selection involved.

Rules & Permissions to Include

You’ll need to publish a Contest Rules section on your website. Here’s what should be included:

No purchase necessary — entry is free.
Skill-based contest — winners chosen based on writing quality and creativity.
Word limit — stories exceeding the limit will not be considered.
Original work only — plagiarism or AI-generated stories are disqualified.
Parent/guardian consent required for participants under 18.
Rights: Entrants retain copyright to their story, but grant Dragonheart Academy permission to share excerpts or full stories online with proper credit.
Submission format: Must be Times New Roman 12 font, typed, double-spaced, in pdf format. Submissions should include title, author first name and last initial, age, state on cover page. All submission must be sent through the form below.
Notification: Winners will be contacted via email within 14 days of judging.
Privacy: Personal information is used only for contest purposes and will not be shared.

Prizes

Grand Prize: $50 Amazon gift card
Runners-Up: 3 winners, each receiving 1 book of their choice (under $25) via Amazon.
Honorable Mentions will also be featured, though no physical prize!
All winners will be featured on the Dragonheart Academy website (with parental consent by first name/last initial, state/country).

Submit Entry

Submit Now!

In the Parental Consent box, please type the following statement:

I, [Parent/Guardian Full Name], give permission for my child, [Participant Name], to enter the Dragonheart Academy Fantasy Writing Contest. I understand that their story may be featured on the Dragonheart Academy website or social media with credit given by first name, last initial, state, and age only.

Submissions will not be considered without this statement.
If you prefer not to include your child’s name, state, or age, please adjust the wording accordingly by typing “intentionally omitted” where appropriate. This ensures your privacy preferences are clearly noted. If you would like your child's picture included, feel free to include with submission.