Each year, the League for Innovation in the Community College invites its board member colleges to participate in the International Student Literary Awards. The Student Literary Awards enable students from board institutions to compete with their peers across North America and provide a means for showcasing a selection of the best works being created by today's community college students.
The initial competition takes place at each participating college or district, with the winners of each local contest moving on to compete at the international level. Winners at the international level – first, second and third place – receive cash prizes as indicated. All international-level entries receive a certificate of merit and are published in the League for Innovation International Student Literary Awards Winners Anthology.
Eligibility
- Students must be currently enrolled in credit courses at a participating college. Academic enrollment must be verified by the local coordinator. (Dual-enrollment high school, early college and noncredit students are not eligible to participate.)
- Entries must be original works written during enrollment in credit-bearing courses at a participating college.
- Each participating college may submit one literary piece in each category – fictional short story, one-act play, personal essay and poetry – to the international competition. Each piece submitted must be written by a different student.
- By entering the awards competition, students grant the League for Innovation and the host college permission to reproduce their submission in print and digital forms.
Categories and Maximum Length
- Fictional short story: 3,500 words
- One-act play: 3,500 words, including stage direction/production notes
- Personal essay: 2,500 words
- Poetry: 67 lines
International-Level Prizes
Winners who are eligible for a cash or equivalent prize will receive a check.
- First place: $500
- Second place: $200
- Third place: $100
All international-level winners receive a Certificate of Merit and are published in the League for Innovation's International Student Literary Competition Winner's Anthology.
Submission Process
Each year’s theme, deadline and submission information will be posted around the Arnold campus and will appear on AACC Creative Writing’s social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram).
