Young Writers Society

Poetry and prose. For too long, they've been kept apart, even pitted against each other. But no more. Writers of YWS, I give you...



How does it work?
If you want to take part in this contest, leave a comment below. I'll send you a poem via PM, and you will write a short story based upon it. You can draw inspiration from the ideas, imagery, themes or lines in the poem - so long as the story is somehow based off the poem, you're gold.

When you've written your entry, publish it on YWS, including an authors note which notes what poem your story was based on, and post a link to the story here. Alternatively, you can post your entry in spoiler tags in this thread. Please do not PM me your entry.

What are the rules?
-All entries must be submitted by the 8th of April, 2016. So long as it's the 8th of April somewhere in the world, you can submit. You can sign up at any point leading up to this date.
-There is no set word limit to this contest, however, your story should preferably not exceed approx 3000 words.
-If you are struggling to write on the poem you have been given, you may request a new one. But please do not request to change your poem more than a couple of times.

Requesting poetry:
-You may request poetry - up to a point. Obviously, you cannot request a specific poem, however, you may:
-request a style of poetry
-request poetry from a certain era
- request poetry that deals with certain ideas
-request a specific poet PROVIDED that they have a considerable amount of poetry to choose from. For example, you can request Emily Dickinson, but not a poet who only has two poems published. However, I do ask that if a number of people have requested the same poet, then you don't, for the sake of variety.
-request a YWS poet

For the sake of fairness, I won't be giving out any of the poems that were involved in last year's contest, which you can find here.

Who's judging this contest?
This contest will be judged by myself and @Morrigan

What do I win?
3rd place: 1000 points and 1 review on the work of your choice
2nd place: 2500 points and 3 reviews on the works of your choice
1st place 5000 points and 5 reviews on the works of your choice

Honourable mentions may also be awarded.

Any further questions, feel free to ask below, or to send me a PM.

Good luck!!

I'm in! Can I request Robert Frost?

I'm in! is it possible to request an internationally acclaimed slam poet such as Desireé Dallagiacomo? She has published over 30 original poems and has many performances on Youtube.

I'm in! I hope I can be active here! >.<

Of course I'm in again. No requests for poetry.

I'd like to participate. Can I have a poem by Robert Frost?

I'm in, I remember doing the last one. It was such a great experience and I hope to improve this time. Can I have a poem by ~e.e. cummings~?

I like to join. Perhaps Shel Silverstein?

I'd like to try this! Any poet is alright~

I'm in. I'd like to request Maya Angelou, please~

Ooh. I think I'd like to join! No requests, I'll just see what I get.

I'd love to try this! Any poem would be lovely.

ME! ME! PICK ME!

Count me in! Brian Swann or something atmosphere-driven, maybe?

Sounds fun, happy with anything, but maybe not a love poem please?