We are delighted to announce that our 2026/2027 Short Story Competition is now open!
This competition is open to aspiring writers aged 12 to 17 who are not currently enrolled at Akademeia High School. If you love writing, we hope you will share your ideas with us as we celebrate the enduring power of stories to educate, entertain, and inspire.
In case of any questions please contact [email protected]
Why enter?
- Win a summer school place (one per age category: 12–14 and 15–17)
- Showcase your story to a panel of academic staff
- Attend the final stage at Akademeia High School in Warsaw
- Join a community that celebrates creativity, storytelling, and original thinking
Who can enter?
- Students aged 12–17
- Not currently enrolled at Akademeia High School
- Free to enter
Task
Choose one of the following tasks and write a short story of between 800-1500 words in response.
Email your response to [email protected] by 13 December, 2026.
- Write a story about time travel to the future. Your protagonist encounters surprising technology. This new reality could be a dystopia, utopia, or something in between. (Science Fiction)
- Write a story about a shocking turn of events. Your protagonist is either the witness to these events or a detective tasked with solving the crime. (Detective/Thriller)
- Write a story about a family. The story should explore the complex dynamics of family and feature a strong sense of place and time. (Literary/Family saga)
Candidates should read the regulations carefully before entering the competition.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to discuss their stories and respond to questions from a panel of faculty at Akademeia High School on 11 January 2027.
Deadlines
| Stage | Deadline | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Competition opens | 25 September 2026 |
| Submissions close | 13 December 2026 | |
| Stage 2 | Invitations to second stage | 17 December 2026 |
| Second stage at Akademeia High School | 11 January 2027 |
Regulations for Short Story Competition
- Open to students aged 12–17 not currently studying at Akademeia High School
- Free to enter
- Two age categories: 12–14 and 15–17 (summer school prize awarded in each)
- Word count: 800–1500 words, including title (±10% limit)
- Double-spaced, page numbers, written in English
- Filename format: Title_FirstNameLastName (e.g., TheRedRose_JohnSmith)
- Only one entry per candidate
- Entries must be original, complete, standalone, and not submitted elsewhere previously
- Submit as Word document (Doc/Docx) via email to [email protected] by 13 December 2026
- Include full name and age in your submission email
- Candidates must be able to travel to Warsaw for the final stage if shortlisted
