Gum Wrapper Heart
Even as we carry the whole world
On our backs, we
Breathe our girlhood through
Whispers and giggles at the lunch table and
Stars brushed across eyelids that have
Young Writers Project
The Daily Read
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In the Blink of an Eye
It started off with two moms, two best friends,
with two young girls with the biggest smiles.
Making handshakes that would last a lifetime,
listening to songs we would sing and dance to,
sharing our laughs and giggles, -
A Half-Satirical Attempt At Explaining What It Feels Like to Attempt to Bargain With Time
Hey. So, it’s me. Like always. Also, it’s 12:30. I’m sure you’ll remember that, like always, I would love to be able to sleep. Maybe you’ll just give me another hour or two? See, I had things to do. Poetry. A portfolio.
Gallery
Challenges
Visual Art
Deadline
Sky
Imagine your dream sky. Is it more than just blue? Create this dream sky in your preferred medium.
Writing
Deadline
Language
Do you speak another language? If so, try your hand at writing a poem in it. Share your poem and a translation of it in English as well.
Writing
Deadline
Locks
We keep lots of things behind locks. Imagine a character who keeps personal and quirky things behind imaginary locks. Write a poem or story about this character. Would the world be a more beautiful place if they shared their quirks with everyone?
Visual Art
Deadline
Winter 2026 Art Contest
With your artist's eye, observe, interpret, and create. Choose a subject — an everyday object, a person, a landscape — and give yourself time and space to study it. Use the medium of your choice to convey the subject the way you uniquely see it.
Writing
Canada's Strategy
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney received a standing ovation in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 20 when he called on fellow smaller nations to join together for a more cooperative, resilient world to counter the rupture in the international order.
Writing
Martin Luther King
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." Respond to this 1963 message from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as it relates to America today.
News & Events
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Photo Workshops: A Series by Kevin Huang
Kevin Huang, a photographer and an alumni of YWP, shares what he has learned about photography through his countless hours of experimenting and exploring with his camera. See Kevin's series of online workshops and post your own photos.
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YWP Resources: New Publication & Contest Opportunities!
Are you looking to submit your work to contests for a chance to win prizes or to publications such as journals and anthologies? Check out our lists of writing and visual arts contests curated for YWP by Alumni Advisor Sam Aikman.
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Tomorrow Project: December 2025 Award
Congratulations to meandpaul, the December award winner in YWP's monthly Tomorrow Project contest!
