The Washington County Free Library is once again pleased to announce its annual Writers and Poets Contest. The contest includes five age divisions: children in grades 2-3; grades 4-5; grades 6-8; grades 9- 12, and adults. Entries will be accepted beginning Monday, December 15, 2025, through Sunday, February 15, 2025. Please note that this submission window is a month earlier than previous years. This change is an exciting one, as it will allow our 2026 winners the chance to meet Kazu Kibuishi, author and illustrator of the “Amulet” series, when he visits Fletcher Library on April 11, 2026. Aside from the chance to meet Kazu Kibuishi and receive a signed copy of his book, first, second, and third place winners will have their work printed in the 2026 Writers & Poets anthology and be honored at the Writers & Poets Winners Reception on April 15, 2026.

Entrants must be residents of Washington County, Md., or have a valid Washington County Free Library card. Writers may enter up to two poems and one short story. Short stories must be no longer than 1200 words. All entries must be original and can be on any topic. Entries must be submitted with a completed cover page, which can be downloaded on our website by searching “2026 Writers & Poets Contest” or picked up at any of our library branches. We will not consider an entry without a completed cover page. 

Entries may be submitted to any library branch in Washington County, or they may be mailed to:

Writers and Poets Contest
Attn: Children’s Department
Washington County Free Library
100 South Potomac St. Hagerstown, Md. 21740

Mailed entries must be postmarked by February 15, 2026.

For the first time ever, email entries will also be accepted. Email entries must be sent in Word Doc format, with a completed cover page attachment to submissions@washcolibrary.org. Subject line should read “Writers & Poets”. Remember to keep a copy of your work as submissions will not be returned. There will be first, second, and third place winners for each division. Winners will be notified in March and honored at a reception in April. Visit our website, washcolibrary.org, for more information and full submission guidelines. Call Dakota Vaughn at 301-739-3250 for further information.

Point of Contact:
Dakota Vaughn
Kids and Tweens Library Associate
Washington County Free Library
100 S. Potomac St. Hagerstown, Md. 21740