QUESTIONS ABOUT YWP
Is YWP free?
Yes! YWP is free of charge, thanks to generous donors who support our independent nonprofit.
Who uses the YWP site?
All new accounts on our website are reserved for teens, 13-19 years of age. Most members are from Vermont, where YWP is based, but we have users from across the U.S. and other countries.
How do I get started?
- If you are between 13 and 19, start an account on youngwritersproject.org by clicking "Sign Up" on the homepage. Completely and accurately fill out the info boxes so site administrators can confirm your identity and be able to contact you about publication, contests, and events. This information is not for public eyes.
- Pick a username you like and a password you will remember. Don't use your full name or the names of others, real or fictional.
- Once your account is approved, you can start submitting writing and visual art posts to your own blog, respond to YWP’s challenges, comment on others' work, and chat with them on YWP’s online forums, Tiny Writes and the Book Club.
- Accounts cannot be shared. They must be used only by the individual who signs up.
- For step-by-step instructions, go to How the Site Works.
What is YWP's mission?
To inspire, mentor, publish, and promote young writers and artists.
What is YWP’s Editorial Policy?
Young Writers Project (YWP) is a civil, respectful, creative place for young writers and artists. YWP encourages, within the bounds of civility, the active exchange of ideas and viewpoints, however, as a matter of policy and common publishing practice, it exercises editorial discretion and will remove from the website any material deemed inappropriate. Such material would include but not be limited to:
- Content that portrays or encourages intolerance, discrimination, violence, cruelty, hate, suicide, or self-harm;
- Language that is threatening, defamatory, disparaging, bullying, hurtful, uncivil, or unkind;
- Content that is not the user's original work. No plagiarism or “borrowing” from other writers or artists. No AI, no fan fiction;
- Posts that specifically identify individuals and might expose them to unwanted attention.
YWP's guiding rule is: Be respectful. This applies to all posts and interactions on the website. Posts that stray from the basic tenet of respect will be removed from the site. YWP reserves the right to terminate any user account without notice if such termination is determined to serve the best interests of the YWP community.
YWP's editorial staff review every post on the site, more than 10,000 each year! Writing and visual art are featured here:
- The Daily Read and Gallery: Three pieces of writing and three pieces of art featured on the homepage of the YWP website.
- The Voice: Our monthly digital magazine on the homepage, showcasing the outstanding writing and art posted to YWP every month.
- Anthology: A beautiful, annual book of the best writing and visual art submitted to the site each year.
- Media Partners: In Vermont, we publish weekly on VTDigger.org, and in Seven Days' quarterly Kids VT.
- The YWP website is also curated to highlight exceptional work in keeping with the creative aspirations of the YWP community.
What about copyrights?
YWP retains copyrights to publish your work, but you retain the commercial copyrights to do anything you wish with your piece forever. For more details, go to the Terms and Conditions of joining YWP.
Does YWP archive posts?
What is YWP's non-discrimination policy?
Young Writers Project does not unlawfully discriminate in its administrative and program operations or in the provision of services – and will not allow discrimination – on the basis of any other status prohibited by applicable law.
YWP Members' Dashboards: Logged-in users can go directly to a personal dashboard by clicking on the avatar at the top right. The dashboard (or profile landing page) includes quick links to create writing or visual art, as well as links to challenges, and the latest in Tiny Writes and the Book Club. Users can join these interactive forums directly from the dashboard.
Create: Click the Create button and different blog forms will pop up for writing or visual art. The Create option is for "freestyle" submissions not linked to specific challenges. You can also link quickly to challenges and contests from the dashboard. All writing and visual art submitted via Create or in response to Challenges will be considered for publication.
Challenges: All challenges – Weekly Challenges, Contests, Opinion & Commentary, Great Artists, and Great Poets – can be found on one central page.
For Teachers: A special section to help teachers use YWP. Teachers do not require accounts to use YWP's challenges and resources.
Accessibility: YWP strives to be accessible to any teen writer or artist who wants to join us. All YWP programs free of charge. And we've improved the accessibility and usability of our website, including:
- Clear and contrast-free typeface, fonts, and colors;
- Alternative text;
- Easier site navigation.
Our Logo:
The corvid (raven and crow family) symbolizes creativity and playfulness. It’s a nod to YWP’s past logos, but with a new look. The YWP corvid sits atop an asterisk, representing creative ideas, as if the mark is a collected treasure.
The Homepage:
- Three Daily Reads;
- Gallery of Visual Art;
Highlighted Challenges, News & Events, a "Spotlight" feature, and the best of our monthly digital magazine, The Voice.
Who manages the site?
Susan Reid, YWP executive director; Anna Forsythe, publications coordinator; William Anderson, editor/administrator; and our alumni advisors and interns who contribute mentoring and support on the site. YWP also has a great board of directors. Read more on the YWP Staff & Board page.
How do I help to sustain YWP?
Please Donate! YWP relies solely on donations and grants from foundations, businesses, and individuals to support our 501(c)(3) nonprofit – and to provide all programs free of charge so any teen can join us!
I still have questions …
We’re happy to answer them! Contact Susan Reid, YWP executive director, at sreid@youngwritersproject.org.