Unit 8: Open Capstone and Publication—A Final Creative Offering
At this point, I am no longer your instructor. You no longer need me. You have written in voices you didn’t know you had. You have bent stories, broken them, rebuilt them in ways only you could. You have explored the depths of your own language, your own experiences, your own ability to translate thought into something real.
Now, the final step: Take your work beyond this classroom.
The Final Project: Create, Publish, and Share
You will complete one final piece of creative writing—whatever form that takes. It could be a poem, a short story, a script, a hybrid form, something experimental, something raw, something finished and polished. Something that speaks.
But writing does not exist in isolation. A writer is not just someone who writes—a writer is someone who shares. Your work is meant to be read, performed, heard, experienced. Your final task is not just to write—it is to bring your work into the world.
Paths to Publication & Performance
Class Publishing
For those who want to see their work in print within our community, we will be creating class poetry and short story collections.
What We’ll Do:
Collect student work, format it into professionally bound books.
Submit them to the district for printing.
Collaborate with local bookstores, libraries, and coffee shops to distribute and sell copies for minimal cost.
Organize live readings and book signings where students can share their work.
Additional DIY Publishing Options:
Self-Published Chapbooks & Zines – Create your own booklet of poems or short stories and distribute them locally.
Digital Zines – Format your work as a PDF and share it via email, social media, or a class website.
Literary Magazines & Online Journals
Many literary magazines accept work from high school writers! Some even offer paid publication.
High School & Youth-Focused Magazines
Teen Ink – A well-known platform that publishes student work.
The Adroit Journal (Young Writers) – Publishes exceptional work from young poets and fiction writers.
Polyphony Lit – A student-run literary journal with global submissions.
Canvas Literary Journal – Created for and by young writers.
Well-Known Literary Magazines That Accept Young Writers
The Kenyon Review (Young Writers Program)
The New York Times Learning Network (Student Contests)
Lunch Ticket (Amuse-Bouche Series)
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (Multiple Categories)
How to Submit:
Read past issues – Each magazine has a style; make sure your work fits.
Follow submission guidelines – Every publication has specific word counts, formats, and rules.
Keep track of your submissions – Some places don’t allow simultaneous submissions (meaning you can’t send the same piece to multiple places at once).
Be ready for rejection – Even great writers get rejected. Keep submitting!
Alternative Online Platforms for Sharing Your Work:
Medium.com – A space for essays, fiction, and creative nonfiction.
Wattpad – A storytelling platform with a large reader base.
Substack – Create your own writing newsletter to build an audience.
Reddit Writing Communities (r/OCPoetry, r/WritingPrompts, r/NoSleep) – For genre fiction and poetry.
Competitions & Contests
Winning (or even being shortlisted) in a competition can be a great way to build your writing portfolio. Some contests even offer cash prizes or scholarships!
National & International Writing Competitions
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards – One of the most prestigious student writing competitions in the U.S.
The Young Writers Program (Adroit Journal, Kenyon Review, The New York Times Contests)
The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award – A major poetry competition for young writers.
The Bennington Young Writers Awards – Hosted by Bennington College for fiction, poetry, and essays.
The Ocean Awareness Contest – A unique competition focused on environmental storytelling.
Local & School-Level Contests
Library & Bookstore Writing Contests – Many libraries host annual poetry, flash fiction, or storytelling contests.
School-Wide & District Competitions – We can submit work to district-wide literary events.
How to Find More:
Check local libraries, bookstores, and community arts programs.
Search for contests based on your writing style (poetry, sci-fi, personal essays, etc.).
Performance Media
If your work is meant to be performed, spoken, or filmed, consider these opportunities:
Spoken Word & Live Readings
Local Open Mic Nights – Many coffee shops, libraries, and bookstores host open mics.
The Moth (Storytelling Organization) – A national platform for personal storytelling.
Poetry Slams – If your work is powerful aloud, try performing it at a local poetry slam or competition.
Podcasting & Audio Performance
Student Podcasting – Record your work for a class or school-wide podcast.
StoryCorps – A national program that collects real-life stories for audio preservation.
Spotify/Apple Podcasts – You can create your own spoken word or storytelling podcast!
Short Film & Digital Storytelling
Student Film Festivals – If your story works visually, adapt it into a short film or animation.
YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram Video Performance – Many poets and storytellers gain audiences through short, engaging videos.
National Film & Script Contests – Many film festivals have student screenwriting and short film categories.
Final Words: The Role of a Writer
Writing is not just about creating—it’s about sharing. Whether you choose to publish traditionally, self-publish, perform, or compete, your work has value beyond this classroom.
This is your chance to take full ownership of your art.