About the Contest:
The We Read Youth Voices Young Writer’s Contest is a collaboration between Madison Public Library, Forward Madison FC, and the Wisconsin Book Festival, with funding from the Madison Public Library Foundation. Young writers across Madison were encouraged to submit stories on the theme Moving Forward - Together. We encouraged any story, poem, song, or submission that showcased empathy; stories about seeking to understand each other's differences, looking at different perspectives, and moving forward together rather than apart. More than 100 kids submitted works, and we're excited to share some of their submissions in an anthology, which will be available in print at all Madison Public Libraries and digitally on this page this fall. The anthology represents highlights of some of the best submissions, judged by a panel of Madison community writers and advocates for youth. We sincerely thank all of the writers who found the courage to share their voices with us: you are truly an inspiration! Read more about the contest...
Past Anthologies
The We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest began in 2021 as a way to uplift the voices of young writers in the Madison, WI area. The contest received 40+ submissions in its inaugural year and awarded cash prizes to five lucky winners. An anthology of their work was compiled and is available for checkout at any Madison Public Library location. You can read an online version of the anthology, see the 2021 judges, and learn more about the contest on the Youth Voices Anthology 2021 page.
