KDL inspires creativity through writing, photography contests

Kent District Library is on a mission to ignite creativity across Michigan, inviting children, teens, and adults to share their stories and capture striking images in two contests this fall. 

Through its 14th annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest and the Teen Photo Challenge, the library hopes to inspire writers and photographers by offering a platform for self-expression, skill-building, and community connection.

Short stories are due Saturday, Nov. 15, while the Teen Photo Challenge accepts entries through the fall (check local branch listings for final dates). Both contests are free for youth participants, with a $10 fee only for writers 18 and older.

Writers are divided into three categories: adult, ages 18 and older; teens, ages 13-17; and youth, ages 12 and younger. The top 10 stories in each category will compete for publication and cash prizes selected by literary judges and a public vote. The awards are Judges’ Choice ($500), Readers’ Choice ($250), and Judges’ Choice Runner-up ($250). Last year’s Write Michigan contest drew over 1,000 entries. 

The writing contest is open to entrants statewide, while the photo contest is limited to teens from Kent County.

“It’s for everybody,” says Lauren Hagerman Tekelly, Kent District Library programming specialist. “If you’re just starting to write or if you’ve been writing for a long time, each story gets reviewed by two volunteers who are trained in reviewing stories. They give it a rating and feedback, and that helps people a lot.”

The contest features a 3,000-word limit and encourages a variety of genres. 

“They come from all different kinds of genres—historical fiction, sci-fi, everything,” Hagerman Tekelly says. “We typically look for character development and plot, so a memoir isn’t necessarily the right fit, but some people make it work.”

Author-illustrator is featured author

This year’s featured author is Kenneth Kraegel, an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, who will deliver the keynote address at the March awards ceremony and write the anthology’s foreword. 

Kraegel’s picture books include This is a Book of Shapes, Green Pants, Something Good, Wild Honey from the Moon, and Mushroom Lullaby.

“It’s a really special opportunity for these writers to get out and be published,” Hagerman Tekelly says. “They share a meal, meet each other, talk about their stories, and hear from a famous author. Everyone can get their anthology signed by all the authors. It’s a wonderful, new experience for many of them.”

Kraegel has been a judge for the past few years. 

“These kids take a lot of time when they’re writing, so I wanted to give them their due,” he says. “I would read each one maybe two, three, or four times, just to make sure I was getting the flow of what they were saying before I went and did any critiquing or judging. This allows everyone to feel like somebody enjoyed their story.”

This year, Kraegel is writing the foreword for the anthology and speaking at the awards ceremony. He plans to draw inspiration for his keynote from the stories themselves. 

“I’ll read the stories first and then use that as a springboard for the talk,” he says.

The anthology, published by Chapbook Press in partnership with Schuler Books, will sell for about $20 and will become part of the Kent District Library’s collection. 

Photo competition

Running alongside the writing contest, the Teen Photo Challenge invites young photographers to explore visual storytelling.

“The Teen Photo Challenge began back in the days of COVID, when we were trying to think of programs that could engage teens from their own home,” says Shannon Vanderhyde, youth/teen branch librarian. “A digital photo contest seemed to fit the bill. Since then, we’ve seen teens thrive. Turns out photography is loved even more when we’re not stuck in the house.”

Vanderhyde says participation remains strong. Popular subjects include fall leaves, water, and cars. 

“Teens love to show cars,” she says. “It’s always so fun to see what they come up with when all they are given is a phrase like ‘movement.’”

Memorable winners include a 2023 photo of a spider’s web sparkling with dewdrops and a 2024 close-up of rust on a car, capturing layers of texture. 

Her advice: “Make sure there are no people in the photo—that’s a hard and fast rule—and think outside the box. Show us something we aren’t expecting.”

The program reinforces the library’s mission. 

“Learning to take a good photograph is a process,” Vanderhyde says. “By allowing teens to explore photography as a medium for storytelling and self-expression, we are offering opportunities for skill development, including composition and visual literacy. The program cultivates a sense of community and reinforces the library as a hub for creative exploration and social connection.”

‘Special opportunity’

KDL’s dual contests are designed to highlight the artistic process. 

“It’s a really special opportunity for writers and photographers to share their work and be celebrated,” Hagerman Tekelly says.

Kraegel says he’s glad to be supporting the library’s efforts.

“These programs are great, and I really love being involved with them,” he says. “It’s a really well-run, well-organized program. It’s top of the line.”

For details on entering the Write Michigan Short Story Contest, visit writemichigan.org. For details about the Teen Photography Contest, visit kdl.org/teens/photo-challenge.

Literacy Matters is a series focused on the importance of knowledge, community resources seeking to remove barriers to access, and the value of our library systems to society. Literacy Matters is supported by Kent District Library.
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